Work on parking facility near Palampur old bus stand begins

The Palampur Municipal Corporation (MC) has initiated the construction of a new parking project near Radha Swami Mandir, adjoining the old bus stand. The project, valued at Rs 1.5 crore, aims to accommodate approximately 100 small vehicles. Additionally, the MC is identifying new parking locations across the city to address the increasing traffic congestion.

Speaking to The Tribune, Municipal Commissioner Ashish Sharma said construction work on the new project at Radha Swami Mandir has commenced and is progressing rapidly. He mentioned that he has instructed the executing agency and the engineering team to expedite the project, ensuring its timely completion. Sharma said he regularly monitors the progress and conducts site visits to explore improvements and facilitate smooth execution. The engineering team, local councillors, and MC officials are actively overseeing the project.

“These efforts are part of a broader strategy by the Municipal Corporation to improve traffic management and provide adequate parking solutions in Palampur, a fast-growing town in the state. The Palampur MC is committed to tackling the challenges posed by traffic congestion and enhancing the overall traffic infrastructure,” he added.

Sharma further highlighted that the Radha Swami parking project is expected to significantly reduce parking woes near the old bus stand and contribute to smoother traffic flow along this major road that connects Mandi, Kullu, and Manali.

He also addressed the delays in another three-storey parking project sanctioned 12 years ago, which remains incomplete due to a dispute between the MC and the contractor. Efforts are underway to resolve the dispute and resume construction work. Sharma explained that the Palampur MC (previously a council) had initially awarded the project for Rs 38.29 lakh to a local contractor. However, a subsequent design change led to the contractor abandoning the project midway.

“Till date, the MC has spent over Rs 1 crore on the project, far exceeding the original cost of Rs 38.29 lakh, yet only one slab has been laid while three additional slabs were proposed in the original design,” Sharma said.

The MC remains determined to overcome these challenges and deliver essential infrastructure projects to meet the city’s growing demands.