Delhi’s biggest car park hits monumental roadblock

The fully automated car park coming up in Connaught Place — the answer to the central district’s traffic prayers — has been shown the red light by the Archaeological Survey of India. Reason: It is too close to Agrasen Ki Baoli, a centrally-protected monument.

The fully automated car park coming up in Connaught Place — the answer to the central district’s traffic prayers — has been shown the red light by the Archaeological Survey of India. Reason: It is too close to Agrasen Ki Baoli, a centrally-protected monument.

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The 13-floor structure at KG Marg, with the capacity to park 1,582 vehicles, would be Delhi’s biggest fully automated lot.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) said ASI refused permission as the

parking lot falls within 300 meters of the monument and also objected to its height.

“We had got all the relevant clearances. Digging had started. But after the government amended the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Remains and Sites Act, 1958, the ASI has asked us to stop construction,” said an NDMC official.

“In view of the amendment, we have not given permission,” confirmed an ASI spokesman.

The NDMC is now worried the project may be scrapped.

“We have written to ASI seeking clarification. We will cooperate with all concerned authorities,” said a spokesperson for DSC Limited, the contractors.