8 multi-level lots ready.

Multi-level parking facilities in South Delhi that were supposed to be ready in time for the Commonwealth Games in 2010 are now finally nearing completion.

Eight parking projects of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) will be ready by the end of the year, according to Commissioner Puneet Kumar Goel.

The Hauz Khas parking facility has been inaugurated twice - once in 2012 by the Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley and in 2013 by former BJP Mayor Arti Mehra. However, work has only been completed recently. The SDMC has applied for a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department.

The Munirka parking lot, which is also awaiting the Fire Department’s clearance, will be open by August-end, said Mr. Goel.

The remaining facilities in New Friends Colony, Bhogal, Rajouri Garden, Subhash Nagar and Kalkaji will be completed by December.

The eight projects, which cost the civic body Rs.241 crore, will add 2,648 parking spots in busy marketplaces across South Delhi.

Officials said delays could be chalked up to funding issues as these projects were envisioned under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which has been wound down.

However, a senior SDMC official admitted that over Rs.100 crore was given under the scheme.

The SDMC did, however, contribute funds from its non-Plan budget to get the projects moving.

But funding was not the only issue. For instance, the Hauz Khas parking lot was complete in 2014 but couldn’t be used due to design flaws.

The exit point wasn’t wide enough for a large car to move through.

The New Friends Colony and Bhogal facilities were delayed due to slow work by contractors. The civic body was forced to initiate action against the agency.

SDMC Leader of Opposition Farhad Suri said the projects had been delayed due to “design faults, lack of environmental clearances and soil testing.”


THE HINDU