MCD may lose out on Central funding for parking projects

Thursday, June 14, 2011

At A time when Delhi is facing an acute shortage of parking space, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is in danger of losing out on Central funding for six of its multi-level parking projects.

As many as 10 MCD projects were approved under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission for over Rs 800 crore, but the civic body failed to secure environment clearances for them.

The deadline for completion of all JNNURM projects is March 2012, and if work on the projects is not taken up soon, there is a possibility of losing out on financial aid from the Centre as well as Delhi government. At least 25 percent of the budget comes from the Union Government under this scheme.

Delhi's Urban Development Secretary R K Srivastava said the mandatory clearance by the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) was expected soon, and the civic agency will be able to start work on the projects after that.

"As many as 29 projects, amounting to Rs 8,027 crore, were approved — out of which 10 are yet to be taken up. Work on all the 10 is to be executed by the MCD," he said, adding that 19 projects — taken up by other agencies such as Delhi Jal Board, New Delhi Municipal Council and Public Works Department — have already been completed.

The civic agency could not get sanction for the projects — most of which are multi-level parking — on environmental grounds. The MCD had proposed to construct underground parking lots under MCD parks. The environment committees have, however, rejected the idea. Only parking lots above the ground have received permission as of now. Unless these projects begin before this year ends, the budget will lapse.

He said the Union Urban Development Ministry has set March 31, 2012, as the deadline for completing the projects and there was a possibility of financial allocation not coming at all for the projects. "We are expecting permission for the projects soon," the official said.

Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mcd-may-lose-out-on-central-funding-for-parking-projects/803265/0