SDMC green light to seven multi-level parking lots in city

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has finally approved the contract of its seven multi-level underground parking lots on Thursday. The management contract has been allotted to Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Ltd (DIMTS). The parking facilities, in total, will be able to house 2,300 vehicles. Under the first phase, three parking lots will be commissioned.

The corporation's standing committee gave its nod to the management of these automated parking lots through DIMTS on Thursday. The parking lots at Hauz Khas, Munirka and Kalkaji have been ready for over a year, but have remained under utilised for reasons such as technical faults and long waiting period to enter and exit the parking lot.

These lots will be commissioned under the first phase. The second phase will see the construction of parking spaces at Subhash Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Jangpura and New Friends Colony.

"A lack of adequate parking space leads to layers of illegal parking and congestion on roads resulting in traffic snarls. Of the seven lots, few are ready, but have not been utilised, resulting in a loss of revenue," said Shailendra Singh, Chairman, Standing Committee, SDMC.

He added that it has become essential to put a stop to encroachment on roads due to illegal and haphazard parking.

"Vehicles that are stuck in a jam contribute majorly to air pollution. We hope to address this issue by the opening of these seven parking spaces," said Singh. A draft MoU has been finalised in this regard. Initially, DIMTS will be given the management of the parking spaces for a period of one year. "The extension of the management period will depend upon the agency's performance," he said.