Soon, park on roof of multi-level lot at Sec 17

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 23

For the first time, people will be able to park their four-wheelers on the roof of the multi-level parking lot at Sector 17 as the Municipal Corporation has decided to relay the top surface at a cost of Rs 2.13 crore.

The tender for allotting the work to a contractor will be floated next month with a completion deadline of six to eight months. Based on the recommendations of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, the MC House had approved that either of the two options — making changes in the existing top surface for Rs 1.41 crore or dismantling the existing top surface — could be exercised at a cost of Rs 2.13 crore.

However, engineering officials have now finalised the latter option of dismantling the existing top surface floor and laying a new screed covered with trafficworthy waterproofing treatment. Thus, the re-laid surface will allow use of the area for parking of two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

“We hope it will encourage people who have not been parking their vehicles here. They will prefer it to overcrowded parking lots and roadsides,” said an official.

“We will float the tender in about 15 days for the Rs 2.13-crore work. Once the work is completed, four-wheelers will be parked there,” said Chief Engineer Shailender Singh.

MC Commissioner KK Yadav has already clarified that for the purpose, they will use the Rs 2.66-crore payment of the construction company that had been withheld by the MC after leakage was found in the construction. The corporation also has a Rs 18-lakh bank guarantee provided by the company.

At present, only two-wheelers are parked on the roof. There are three floors in the parking lot, built at a cost of a whopping Rs 47.62 crore. However, most parking spaces remain unoccupied as not many people prefer parking here. During a visit to the parking lot today, it was found that one floor was completely vacant. In this automated lot, there is a capacity to park 950 cars and two computerised ticket counters.

Battery-operated carts on job

Battery-operated carts are on the job these days. They pick up people from the multi-level parking lot and drop them at the Sector 17 Plaza. Even people inside the Plaza are ferried from one side to the other. Though envisioned with the purpose of helping the elderly, the physically challenged or ferrying people from the parking lot, it seems to be turning out to be a mere joyride for visitors for free.

Litter, non-functional lifts

Garbage was found strewn during a visit to the parking lot. A decorative display structure made with small glasses was found broken near the cash counter. Besides, most of the eight lifts were non-functional.

“They have spent nearly Rs 50 crore, but nobody cares about its maintenance. No proper cleaning is done here,” said a parking lot attendant.

Food joints proposed

Food joints have been proposed on the roof of the multi-level parking lot. “We are planning to open smart food courts here,” said an official.

The multi-level parking in Sector 17 on Thursday. Manoj Mahajan

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