Multi-level parking facility to open in Chandni Chowk next month
A portion of the multi-level parking facility will be opened in Delhi's Chandni Chowk area next month to ease the problem of parking in the area. The entire parking lot will be operational by September end, said North Delhi Municipal Corporation standing committee chairman Jogi Ram Jain. Initially, around 1,000 cars can be parked at the facility, he added.
- Chandni Chawk is a densely populated and jam-packed area, which underscores the utility of the parking facility.
- Notably, the parking facility was originally conceived in 2013 but has long been delayed.
- Earlier, NDMC had given September 2021 as the deadline. However, it was delayed due to COVID-19.
- In 2018, NDMC was also pulled up by a city court for repeated delays.
The facility is reportedly spread over 4.5 acres and has six levels, including three underground floors. Of this, one floor will be reserved for commercial activities. After completion, the facility will have a total capacity of 2,338 cars.
Speaking to The Times of India, Jain said they are committed to operationalizing the portion "despite several hindrances due to lockdown, pollution ban, etc." "Electrical, interior, and finishing work are going on at full speed," he added. He further said the facility will benefit traders in nearby markets--Chawri Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Khari Baoli, Nai Sadak, and Dariba Kalan--to conveniently park their vehicles.
Jain also said that the parking lot will be equipped with "modern facilities such as CCTV, lifts for passengers, and a fire fighting system." "It will have a heritage look of old Delhi," he added.
Meanwhile, NDMC is also simultaneously working on two other parking facilities at Qutab Road and Shiva Market. "Over 70% work at Qutab Road (for 174 vehicles) and 90% work near Shiva Market (for 500 cars) have been completed," an official said. "These will become operational in the next three months," they added. Notably, the Qutab Road facility is spread over a 1,335 sqm area.
The official further said that the civic body has also received bids for multi-level parking at Bank Street for 500 vehicles. The work will start there soon, the official added.
