NEW DELHI: The much-awaited commercial complex-cum-multilevel parking project at Chandni Chowk will not be opening anytime soon. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has revised the deadline for completion of the project from September 2022 to May 2023. Prior to this, too, the civic body had breached several deadlines.
MCD also doesn’t have any plans to open a portion of the parking facility before May 2023. Assuming that the next municipal election would take place in April, the deliberative wing of the erstwhile north corporation had announced the opening of a portion of the parking facility for 1,000 vehicles by March 2022.
Former standing committee chairman Jogi Ram Jain had in February stated that they were committed to making a portion of the parking lot for around 1,000 cars operational by March and all electrical work along with interior and finishing work was going on at full speed. However, MCD has now stated that there are no plans to open the facility in parts.
The multilevel parking facility is spread over 4.5 acres and has six levels, including three underground floors. One floor would be reserved for commercial activities. The facility would have space for parking 2,338 vehicles and play a major role in decongesting Chawri Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar, Khari Baoli, Nai Sarak and Dariba Kalan.
“Currently, work is in progress. Once operational, over 2,300 parking slots will cater to the huge influx of vehicles in Chandni Chowk. For the first five years, the concessionaire will be looking after the entire project and taking away 100% of the revenue. After that, 25% of the revenue will be taken by the concessionaire and 75% will be for MCD,” said an official.
According to sources, a few retail outlets have taken space in Omaxe Chowk and many more are negotiating for it. The complex would be equipped with modern facilities, such as CCTVs, lifts for passengers and a firefighting system. It would have a heritage look of Old Delhi. Officials, however, said no beautification was planned around the parking complex.
Conceived in 2013, the parking project has been long delayed. This also led to the erstwhile north corporation being pulled up by a city court in 2018. The earlier deadline was September 2021, but the pandemic halted construction work.
“The parking facility was associated with the Chandni Chowk redevelopment project with an aim to help visitors find parking slots easily. While the redevelopment project has been implemented, the parking facility is yet to be started,” said Sanjay Bhargava of Sarv Vyapar Mandal, Chandni Chowk.
