Parking Complex at JC Road languishes, motorists despair

Parking Complex at JC Road languishes, motorists despair
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Ineffective negotiations have rendered the multilevel parking complex at JC Road constructed by Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) a dormant project.

The city has about half the vehicular population of the State but has no adequate parking facilities. Of the 52 lakh vehicles registered in the State, over 22 lakh are in the city. The civic body’s delay is only making matters worse.

BCC built the complex with a lofty ideal of bringing succor to the ever-increasing traffic congestion, but the motorists are not benefited even though the project was completed over six months ago.

BCC Commissioner K. Jothiramalingam said that the parking lot received no appropriate bids and it has been re-tendered. He said that an earlier bid of Rs 15 lakh was deemed inadequate and re-tendering in May yielded a better bid.

The three-storey parking facility can accommodate 202 cars and 610 two-wheelers in the basement, first floor and the terrace.

It would solve the parking problems of traders on JC Road, Siddaiah Road and NR Road and that of visitors to these areas. The users would be charged Rs 5 per two hours for cars and Rs 2 for two-wheelers.

The BCC has finalised the bid at Rs 20 lakh per year but the standing committee is yet to clear the proposal, said Jothiramalingam.

Hoarding Revenue: The parking complex has a potential of generating ad revenue by way of hoarding contracts. The interior of the complex have room for hoardings and can bring in a revenue of Rs 4 lakh, said the Commissioner.

Jothiramalingam assured that the parking facility will be ready for public use by this month end.