The Times of India 25.08.2012
Parking a car in T Nagar lot to cost Rs 30 per hour
CHENNAI: Parking could soon become an expensive affair for shoppers in T Nagar, the city's commercial hub.
The Chennai Corporation
council on Friday passed a resolution approving a 25 crore project to
build a multi-level parking facility on Bashyam Road. The corporation is
expected to call for tenders for the project next week.
The
facility, to come up next to Panagal Park, will be equipped with
state-of-the-art facilities such as closed-circuit television (CCTV)
cameras and electronic ticketing counters. However, the proposed parking
fee for four-wheelers at 30 an hour is more expensive than even in some
popular malls.
"The fee recommended was Rs 40 for cars and 10 for two-wheelers. Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy
felt it would be too expensive, and after a lot of debate we brought it
down to 30 and 10 for two-wheelers," said Karthikeyan. This is still
more expensive than the Express Avenue mall where the charges are 25 per
hour for four-wheelers on weekends and public holidays. However, it is
felt that the occasional shopper will not mind as long as he/she gets a
comfortable parking spot in the congested area.
The facility
would consist of six or seven levels and will be able to hold around 510
four-wheelers and 918 two-wheelers. "A real estate agency did a
thorough feasibility study in the area, including the soil and rock
formation, and proposed building three levels above ground and three or
four underground," said corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan.
The structure would be built on a design, build and transfer basis. The
selected contractor will get to maintain and manage it for 30 years,
paying the civic body an annual licensing fee of 3.20 lakh.
To
provide a better incentive for contractors, the civic body said 20% of
the cost would be funded by the Central government's viability gap fund.
"The corporation and the government have to put in some money because
it is a very big project," said the commissioner.
The
feasibility report was submitted last week by real estate experts Jones
Land Lasalle Management (JLLM), who are preparing a detailed report for
the complete redevelopment of T Nagar. This project was also announced
in the state legislative assembly by the local administration and water
supply minister K P Munusamy, and will be overlooked by the Tamil Nadu Urban Financial Infrastructure Services Limited (TNUFSIL).
