Multi-level parking lots: BCC under flak

Multi-level parking lots: BCC under flak
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The State Government has pulled up the Bangalore City Corporation for not following the Karnataka Transparency Act in the planning and construction of multi-level parking lots-cum-commercial complexes in the city.

The government has also directed the civic body to take over the entire parking areas and not to share it with the developers as per the existing agreement.

The Urban Development Department in letter dated April 16 to the Corporation commissioner K. Jothiramalingam has directed that management of common utilities and usage of the commercial area of civic body must be dealt with separately by calling competitive bids in accordance with the Transparency Act.

The Government missive to the Corporation, a copy of which is with this website’s newspaper, is significant as a joint venture company on Magarath Road has been given 50 percent share in parking space while the civic body’s partner in the K.G. Road project has been given none.

Jothiramalingam, however, was not sure if the present agreement would be amended. ‘‘We entered into these agreements after cabinet clearance. It would require a cabinet decision to amend them,’’ he said. City Mayor R. Narayanaswamy said that he would soon call a meeting of officials and JV partners to discuss the issue.

However, Maverick Holdings and Investments MD Uday Garudachar – the company which developed the Magarath Road Complex – is amused. ‘‘The government has finalised these agreements following a cabinet approval.

Did they take the decision without considering these factors then? We have made huge investments in the project. Questions are raised only after its completion. It is very unfair,’’ said Garudachar.

The KG Road complex is scheduled to be completed in December and is on at a fast pace. It is being developed by Maharaja Buildtech.

The Garuda complex which has a multiplex, hotel and mall is scheduled to open by July while the parking will be opened to the public from May 1.