DUAC puts brakes on Sarojini Nagar parking plan

Monday, February 2, 2009
Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

NDMC's grand plan for a multi-level parking and commercial complex at Sarojini Nagar has run into trouble. The Delhi Urban Art
Commission (DUAC) has denied to approve the project saying that NDMC needs to prepare a separate plan for pedestrian movement in the plan.

NDMC had announced the plan over a year ago and claimed that it will bring an end to car parking nightmares at the market. A similar multi-level parking plan at Baba Kharag Singh Marg has fortunately been approved by the DUAC with some recommendations like more space at landing area near escalators. The integrated multi-level parking lot in Sarojini Nagar, when completed, will accommodate around 824 vehicles.

An NDMC spokesperson said that the commission has approved the basic building plan but has certain reservations about pedestrian movement and traffic circulation. "They have asked us to provide certain clarifications. We will incorporate the changes recommended and present the improved plan in the next meeting,'' said NDMC spokesperson Anand Tiwari.

According to the commission, the movement of shoppers in the market area at the ground floor, where the major shopping components have been proposed, has not been shown with clarity. "Shopping/commercial component should be kept away from the parking area. A separate plan for movement of pedestrian and shoppers needs to be submitted,'' said DUAC sources.

The proposed eight-storey parking has to be completed within 30 months from the date of commencement of work, i.e. December, 2007. The project is said to cost an approximate Rs 80 crores and will be constructed on a BoT basis having a flexibility period of 30 years.

In the Master Plan 2021, a total of 16 sites have been identified for development of multi-level parkings in the city. Of these three are in the NDMC area and 13 under Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The foundation stone of parking lot at Baba Kharak Singh Marg was placed on December 5, 2007. NDMC's third parking site at Kasturba Gandhi Marg to be constructed by D S Constructions is expected to take at least six months to begin. The KG Marg parking site will be built on an area of 6,200 sq km with a capacity of 1,500-1,600 cars.