Year on, F’bad’s 1st multi-level automated parking facility remains non-functional

Despite being inaugurated over a year ago, the first multi-level automated parking facility in the city, built under the Smart City Project, remains non-functional.

The facility is awaiting being handed over to the agency or department concerned for operations.

Though the multi-level parking lot was formally inaugurated in January 2024 by then CM Manohar Lal Khattar, it has failed to be made functional due to issues such as delays in its transfer to the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), on whose land the lot was set up, revealed sources in the district administration.

The election process, which spanned over six months, and the lack of clarification regarding user charges added to the delay in the commencement of operations, the sources added. The lot was constructed at a cost of Rs 16.50 crore by Faridabad Smart City Limited (FSCL) near the dividing road of Old Faridabad Market and Sector 16 here.

A first of its kind facility for the city, the lot will be able accommodate at least 100 vehicles at a time. Launched in May 2022, construction work on the facility finished in January last after a delay of one year.

A budget of Rs 3.5 crore has been earmarked for its operation and maintenance for a period of five years, according to officials. Parking rates are yet to be revealed.

“Lack of proper and regulated parking spaces has been a major cause of roadside parking and thefts of vehicles in the city,” said Sardar Devender Singh, a member of the district road safety committee and an activist associated with an NGO dealing with traffic issues.

The delay in operations of the parking lot was a cause of concern, Singh added.

Divisional Commissioner and FSCL CEO Sanjay Joon said the parking facility is expected to be handed over to the authority concerned by March this year. The HSVP will be operating the facility thereafter, he added.