Chandni Chowk multilevel parking lot now operational
NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has fully operationalised a multilevel parking facility at Chandni Chowk, senior civic body officials said on Friday. The parking-cum-commercial complex, developed through public–private partnership, can accommodate over 2,300 vehicles and is one of the largest such facilities in Delhi, the officials said.
“The surface parking lots in nearby areas are being shifted here and we are cracking down on illegal surface parking in the region. The trial run was carried out for 15 days and now it is fully open for all users. Around 1000 vehicles are being parked here,” an official said on condition of anonymity.
The six-storey structure has been built at the former Gandhi Maidan by a private builder. An MCD official said one level in the complex will be reserved for commercial activities, while the others — including three underground levels — by vehicles.
As part of the project, which was initiated by the erstwhile North MCD, the civic body will lease out the commercial portion of complex to the builder, along with 25% car parking space abutting the commercial section.
“Under the PPP agreement between the contractor and the civic body, initially 100% revenue from the project will remain with the concessionaire, while thereafter 25% parking will be kept for the concessionaire and 75% parking for the municipal corporation,” the official said.
The complex is expected to provide relief to several busy areas in the vicinity, including Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Khari Baoli, Nai Sadak and Dariba Kalan.
According to MCD, the unavailability of surface parking in the area led to massive traffic snarls and congestion. “Our project will help in solving the parking crisis in the area while making the Chandni Chowk commercial hub more accessible,” the official said
Meanwhile, trial runs have also been initiated for the Qutub Road multilevel parking, which can accommodate 174 vehicles. “After the completion of these two lots, we aim operationalise the Amar Colony multilevel automated parking lot by February-end,” the official added.