Idgah, Jhandewalan to get parking, commercial complex

After brainstorming on how to use a vacant plot at Idgah that housed a slaughterhouse till 2009, MCD commissioner KS Mehra has suggested a commercial-cum-parking complex at the site. A similar proposal has also been made for Jhandewalan.

After brainstorming on how to use a vacant plot at Idgah that housed a slaughterhouse till 2009, MCD commissioner KS Mehra has suggested a commercial-cum-parking complex at the site. A similar proposal has also been made for Jhandewalan.

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According to a senior official of Engineering Department, a survey of the two areas is being carried out, after which a feasibility report will be prepared. The report will look into the quality of land and the aesthetics.

"The plan is to have underground parking with a mall on the upper floors. That way, MCD will be able to earn revenue by renting out the commercial space out," said the official.

The Idgah slaughterhouse is being used for parking since November 2010. It was started after seeing the shortage of parking space in the nearby areas of Paharganj and Sadar Bazaar.

According to MCD, around 1,500 vehicles can be parked on the nine-acre land at Idgah. Since the Idgah is located near Paharganj and Sadar Bazaar, it will help decongest both these areas once a big multi-level parking is constructed.

In the past few months, there has been a lot of debate over the future use of the Idgah which till 2009 used to accommodate the biggest slaughterhouse. The slaughterhouse was shifted to Ghazipur later.