Raising the Car

Any one who frequents Sarojini Nagar in Delhi would relate to the fact that visiting the thrift market anytime of the year requires great planning.

Any one who frequents Sarojini Nagar in Delhi would relate to the fact that visiting the thrift market anytime of the year requires great planning. Comfortable shoes,a big bag to dump all the clothes,sunglasses and a bottle of water can be fixed in a few minutes. But about 30 minutes more have to be pencilled in to locate the perfect parking spot. You need to be a ninja to park here the narrow lanes are troublesome; the parking attendants can be belligerant and the fear of the car or its belongings getting stolen nags even as you shop.

This time though,we spotted a big building with hoardings of beauty salons and a slew of popular eateries. It also said multilevel parking and we suddenly remembered the buzz it had generated when it was inaugurated in December last year. It is six months late but we decided to try it for the thrill of driving high up to park. Upon reaching the entrance of this mini mall cum parking area,two guards stopped us checked the car and asked my friend to get off as only one person is allowed inside. My friend and I parted ways after a Waah.

I was soon given a plastic card token,not the easy-to-lose paper slip. Security guard no three politely asked me to turn right and I was getting ready for the epic car sequence driving it on an uphill slope to the top floor. However,after I took the right turn,I saw six young men dressed in bright shirts. One of them said,Good evening,I will park your car. Stunned,I got out and wondered why there were no cars parked here and where was the way up? Then,as if in a filmy slow motion,a car descended down,almost like a pole dancer. The attendant drove my car and parked it on a big metal plate and after a minute,my car rose up to the invisible ceiling of the building. It was a car lift. My jaw dropped and quickly recorded the experience as a phone video.

As we approached the parking space again,we wondered about the parking bill. This must be so expensive. Upon showing the plastic card token,we were pointed towards the retrieval room an air-conditioned waiting area and payment place. To our surprise the man behind the counter said,Rs 30 please. Smile.

The attendant who returned the car told us about the capacity of the parking lot 824 vehicles. Plus a painless parking experience,which can potentially alter the entire perspective about Delhis crowded public places. Give this a shot the next time you visit Sarojini Nagar,even if its just to watch the cars pole dance their way up and down.

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