Bids to open on June 15 for parking project outside Mini-Secretariat

The foundation stone for the project was also laid by the then Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

“A budget of around Rs 17 crore has been approved by the government, following which we have floated the tenders, and June 15 has been fixed as the date to open bids for the allotment of construction work,” said Harpal Singh, executive engineer, Public Works Department (PWD). Though, the initial estimate prepared was of around Rs 41.62 crore.

The multi-level parking will be constructed on one-acre land, in front of the District Courts Complex, near the Mini-Secretariat, Sector 1.

It will be a three-storey building, and will consist of two basements, one of which will be on a slant, in order to provide maximum space. “The project has been stuck ever since it was proposed four years back.

“With this development, we hope that the construction work is carried out soon, and there will be an end to the parking woes for the residents,” said Subhash Papneja, president, Panchkula Resident Welfare Federation.

With the heavy rush of vehicles of visitors to the local courts and the Mini-Secretariat, the need of a multi-level parking has been emphasised from time to time.

“It is difficult to park vehicles, especially during rains, since the ground is four-feet deep, and water stagnates.
The parking space for general public is also limited,” Papneja added.

The current parking space in front of Mini-Secretariat is inadequate, while the one in front of the District Courts is four-feet deep, and uneven. Visitors are seen parking their vehicles by the road sides and scuffles over parking have also been reported.