Indian Express 30.06.2010
Many parking plans, but cars still stuck on Delhi roads
Priyanka Singh Tags : parking plans, delhi Posted: Wed Jun 30 2010, 01:11 hrs
Civic agencies say projects will ease parking chaos, but many yet to see light of day. <Priyanka Singh surveys the status
The two premier civic agencies of the Capital, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), claim the city’s traffic menace would be reduced once their multi-level, automated, underground and stack parking projects are ready. While a few projects seems to be rolling out at a normal pace and have overcome administrative glitches, others are still lagging behind.
Apart from the multi-level parking projects at Mandalia Chowk (MCD), Ramlila Maidan (MCD), Baba Kharak Singh Marg (NDMC) and Sarojini Nagar (NDMC), others are still in the pipeline awaiting approval or are currently under evaluation. According to the civic agency officials, the delays are due to either the bids not matching the MCD’s parameters and being reconsidered, or the projects getting stuck due to land hassles, litigation and environmental issues.
MCD projects
There are approximately 150 parking sites in Delhi. According to Deep Mathur, Public Relations Officer of the MCD: “The MCD has identified 15 sites for developing multi-level automated parking lots. The project at M-Block market in Greater Kailash-I is being processed for awarding of the contract. Tenders for the projects at South Extension Part I and II, Rani Bagh, Defence Colony, Shastri Park, Karol Bagh and Lajpat Nagar are in the process of either evaluation or approval.” All proposed projects will be through public-private partnerships.
Construction work at Mandalia Chowk, Kamala Nagar, has been undertaken by SMS Infrastructure Ltd, which reportedly has a 30-year contract with the MCD. Virendra Kumar (42), owner of a garment shop near the construction site, said, “The project was inaugurated three years ago, but work has started only in February this year. There was a park here before. Many issues like clearing of trees, removal of underground water pipes, MTNL cable wires and sewer lines took them almost two years to take care of.”
The upcoming multi-level parking lot at Ramlila Maidan, designed to accommodate 700 cars, initially faced problems from the Ramlila committee. SMS Infrastructure Ltd began work in February this year. Its project manager A K Singh said, “We are planning to make three levels of basement parking. Work is expected to be completed before April next year.”
The MCD has reportedly identified 24 underground parking sites. According to officials, work has started on 13.
Meeting gAMES deadline
The MCD is also planning to develop stack parking at six sites. Sanjay Jain, Chief Engineer in the MCD, said, “Only stack parking projects are linked with the Commonwealth Games and are slated to be completed before July 31. They will be constructed in the Build Operate and Transfer mode. The private contractor will look after maintenance and operations for three years. “Contract has already been awarded for two sites — Arya Nagar in Paharganj and Satbhirawan Road in Karol Bagh — to Simplex, a Kolkata-based firm,” said Jain.
NDMC PROJECTS
The NDMC is constructing three multilevel parking projects at Baba Kharak Singh Marg (will accommodate 1,400 cars), Sarojini Nagar (more than 700 cars) and KG Marg (1,500 cars).
Construction work at KG Marg has been undertaken by DSC Limited under public-private partnership. A spokesperson said, “We have sought approval from the ASI regarding the restrictions pertaining to the height of construction. The lot will have the capacity to accommodate 1,582 vehicles and will have15 floors, including three basement levels.”
Project status
Under construction
* Mandalia Chowk — 828 cars
* Ramlila Maidan — 700
* Baba Kharak Singh Marg — 1,400
* Sarojini Nagar — 700+
Awaiting approval
* M-Block market, GK-I — 1,200
(contract to be awarded)
* South Ex Part I and II — 1,600
* Rani Bagh — 450
* Defence Colony— 900
* Shastri Park — 2,000
* Lajpat Nagar — 500
(tenders under evaluation or awaiting approval)
Contract awarded
* Arya Nagar in Paharganj
* Satbhirawan Road in Karol Bagh
