The Indian Express 18.04.2013
Wildlife clearance — yet another hurdle faced by Sector 17 parking lot
The Municipal Corporation has been asked to seek clearance from the
Wildlife Department before the construction of the multilevel parking
lot in Sector 17 can be started. This is despite the fact that the
chances of finding wildlife in Sector 17 are almost nil.
The proposal for construction of the multilevel parking lot in
Sector 17 has hit several roadblocks since the idea was floated around
three years ago.
Recently, after much delay, environment clearance was received by
the civic body. The latest hurdle is that clearance must be sought from
the Wildlife Department before the civic body can start the
construction of the parking lot.
Officials of the MC rue that the rules should be modified keeping
in view the place where construction has to take place. “The
construction of the multilevel parking lot is to take place at the place
where a paid parking lot already exists. There is no wildlife in or
around Sector 17. It is a commercial hub. There should not be a need for
wildlife clearance,” stated an official.
MC Chief Engineer S S Bida, meanwhile, said that the MC has
written to the Wildlife Department for the clearance to be given. A
reply was awaited.
The three-storey basement parking lot has been planned to have a
capacity of 900 vehicles. The proposal was mooted in 2010 and a ceremony
to initiate construction held just an hour before the code of conduct
for the municipal election was to come into force. Since then the
project has been facing hurdles.
The building plans for the parking lot took almost two years to
be approved. The plans prepared initially were rejected as it was opined
that the foundation of the shops around the area would be affected due
to the digging work for the parking lot. The parking lot was shifted by
around 10 feet and revised plans prepared.
After the approval of plans when the construction was to start, the
civic body was informed that environmental clearance would be required.
While the MC applied, the term of the two committees that were to give
clearance ended. It took several months for the committees to be
reconstituted. Around a fortnight ago the clearance was finally
received. The civic body is now facing this latest hurdle.
Shrinking parking spaces in the markets is a major hurdle. The
construction of the multilevel parking lot was proposed to ease the
chaos.
