Kamla Nagar multi-level car parking stuck in red tape

Two years after Kamla Nagar multi-level car parking was inaugurated, work is yet to begin on the project.

Two years after Kamla Nagar multi-level car parking was inaugurated, work is yet to begin on the project.

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The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) puts the blame on the ministry of environment and forests which is asking for charges amounting to 1 per cent of the total cost of constructing the parking.

The total construction cost is approximately Rs 120 crore.

“We are yet to get the environmental clearance because the ministry wants 1 per cent fee from the MCD,” said standing committee chairman, Ram Kishan Singhal.

“Why should the amount be paid in government to government dealings?”

The parking — with a capacity of accommodating 834 cars and 300 scooters — is supposed to be fully automated.

“The ministry has said it is levying the cost as the pollution level will rise once the parking site gets functional,” said Subhash Arya, leader of the MCD house.

Meanwhile, Congress councillors alleged that work on other parking sites — Hauz Khas, Munirka, Model Town-II — were progressing at a snail’s pace.

While Delhiites might be inconvenienced by the lack of parking space, councillors are questioning municipal commissioner K.S. Mehra why valet parking was not being provided to councillors who attend the standing committee meeting every week.

“We have to park our cars in Dangal Maidan which is quite a distance from Town hall. We have to waste a lot of our time and energy and its is a problem especially for women councillors,” complained Meera Aggarwal, a BJP councillor.