NOIDA: Taking a step forward towards resolving the traffic chaos in the Sector 18 market area and providing ample parking space for shoppers and traders, the Noida Authority has begun preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the new lot proposed in the area. The DPR will include the design, cost details, traffic plan, etc and will be completed within a fortnight after which the Authority will begin tendering formalities for the multi-crore project.

Chief maintenance engineer of Noida Authority, AK Goel, said construction work on the proposed parking lot will begin by the end of next month. Earlier last month, following demands from traders of the area, and considering the existing chaotic parking arrangements in the market, the Authority had announced to construct a six-storey parking lot with the capacity to accommodate 4,000 vehicles. As per plan, the parking lot will be ready within a year from when the construction work begins.

The Authority has also directed infrastructure consultants RITES to carry out a traffic study in and around the market area for the parking lot. "The lack of parking space is a major problem and leads to regular traffic snarls. It also affects the business of traders as people avoid coming to the market due to regular traffic woes. We have decided to construct a multi-level parking lot near the Radisson Hotel that will accommodate at least 4,000 vehicles," Goel said.

Earlier in 2006, the Authority had proposed to construct a 22-storey multi-level parking lot at Sector 18 at a cost of about Rs 450 crore. Consultants had been appointed last year to revive the project that was to have two underground levels reserved for automatic puzzle parking facility and a state-of-the-art landscape on the piazza level with a roof top restaurant-cum-bar. While the initial plot reserved for the parking lot has been given off for construction of a new mall, another plot near Hotel Radisson has now been earmarked for the new six-storey parking lot.

The Noida Authority also claims to have prepared an overall redevelopment plan for the Sector 18 market area whereby, a completely "modern and new look with world class civic facilities" will be granted to the area.