Chandigarh Sector 17 multi-level parking lot launch today

Mayor Arun Sood visited the multi-level parking lot on Sunday to see the preparations before the inauguration. He said according to the smart city proposal, the plaza area would be made vehicle- free.

“This is a step in that direction. The F&CC has decided to close the two existing parking lots on experimental basis for three months after which a review would be done of how the system worked. If there are some problems, then the decision would be reconsidered,” said Sood.

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Bikramjeet Singh, the manager at a store in Sector 17, rued that the decision to close the two parking lots was being imposed on the traders without taking their interest into consideration.

“The MC reasons that the new parking, having a capacity of 931 cars, will be the answer to the problem of lack of parking space. However, the existing parking lots can already accommodate over 1,100 vehicles. The grounds of their argument is baseless,” he said.

The MC has ensured the presence of e-rikshaws at the new parking lot, which can be availed by the residents without any additional charges. Criticising the move, Harinder Pal Singh, the manager at Adidas store in the sector, said: “The provision of e-rickshaws is not a feasible solution. Firstly, many people might not be comfortable traveling around in rickshaws. Secondly, the MC will provide four rickshaws, which is a small number to cater to the needs of the entire crowd in the complex. Thirdly, providing rickshaws at free of cost does not solve the issue as the customers will have to pay for the new parking lot, while they can park for free in the old ones.”

“If you open a new facility, you cannot close the existing one. The union had given a representation against the move to the MC as it will hit business with people not preferring to walk to our showrooms.

We suggested that the old parking lots could be closed till 11.30am to ensure that traders and government officials are forced to park at the multi-level parking. However, all these requests have been rejected,” said Inder Pal Singh, R E manager, US Polo.

Another suggestion from Sanjeev Chadha, president, Progressive Traders Association, Sector 17, included that the new parking lot and the existing ones should work simultaneously for at least four months after which, the final decision should be taken.

He also suggested that the decision to park their cars should be left to the owner’s discretion.
Meanwhile, in a meeting held on Sunday, the city Congress decided to boycott the inauguration against the decision to close the two existing parking lots.