Just tender no work

The proposal for a multi-level parking in Janakpuri district centre was passed in 1986, tenders have been floated 11 times but work is yet to start.

Despite several representations, residents have been waiting for the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to construct the facility for a long time.
 This multi-level parking lot was proposed to come up near petrol pump first when the layout of Janakpuri District Centre was made in 1986.
"The DDA has not done anything other than only giving assurances till now. Two years back, we were informed that the tenders for the multi-level parking are being made and will be floated soon but now, it is again floating tenders which is being done for the eleventh time," said Janakpuri District Centre Welfare Association president MR Wadhwa.
 The district centre came into existence in 1992 and houses 10 private towers, two malls, a DDA market, a Janakpuri Club and offices like BSES, sub registrar office, transport authority, police station, DDA office and Janakpuri Metro station but there are only four small parking lots to cater to all these offices. Out of these four, there are two small parking lots of DDA in front of the main market, which have a capacity of 110 and 150 vehicles, respectively.
According to the office owners, tenders do not have proper rates and this is the reason why nobody wants to take up this project. "Every day more than 1,000 people visit the centre and around 1,600 vehicles are parked here every day. Most of the parking is done on the roads which lead to traffic chaos. Who is responsible for the delay in the process is the real question," said Ashish Munjal, a shopkeeper in district centre.
 The land, where multi-level parking lot has been proposed, is a free parking lot and was to be run by retired military officers till the work for the ambitious project did not start but some unauthorised people are running it instead and illegally charge people money for parking their vehicles. It has become a big problem for everyone.
 "There is also an another unauthorised parking lot near MTNL office, LIC office, Colubs restaurant and B1 Marg which is known to the authorities but still no action has been taken in this regard. Many people have been illegally using the open spaces in the area for parking which are otherwise meant for pedestrians, etc," said Manish Chopra, another shop owner in Janakpuri District Centre. Currently, the land is in a bad shape and has become a safe haven for anti-social elements.
 All this troubles everyone, be it the inhabitants or visitors of the district centre. "I am unable to understand why the DDA is ignoring this essential project and has left us in the lurch. We are at the mercy of unauthorised parking lot operators," said Karan Khanna, an employee at one of the offices in the centre.
 "One should see the backside of the district centre. The visitors are compelled to park their cars and scooters in front of fire hydrants, on footpaths, etc., which ideally should not be done," said Neeraj Srivastava, another shopkeeper.
 "Car thefts have also become common in the area. Recently, a visitor's car was stolen within a couple of minutes from the centre. This can become a regular feature if proper action is not taken in this regard. We actually need the lot immediately," added Wadhwa.
 DDA commercial land director Divesh Singh said that he is not aware of the issue as of now.

Still a proposal
 This multi-level parking lot was proposed to come up near petrol pump first when the layout of Janakpuri District Centre was made in 1986.

--Paroma Bhattacharya