Bengaluru: The much-delayed multi-level car park (MLCP) at Freedom Park is likely to open by June. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has set in motion the process to equip the facility with state-of-the-art technology, display boards and hassle-free FASTag acceptance.
On Feb 16, the Palike issued work orders to a private agency to get the facility up and running by June.
Allaying fears over the project getting bogged down by further delays as has happened earlier, BBMP engineer-in-chief BS Prahalad told STOI that all hurdles have been cleared, leaving only the implementation of the final phase of smart parking pending. “The tender was floated multiple times and we struggled to find the right agency for the project, but now we have identified one and work orders have already been issued,” he said.
The MLCP has been nearly a decade-long endeavour, with various agencies failing to meet BBMP’s requirements like five years of maintenance, incorporation of smart technology and charging only nominal fees. Envisioned primarily to alleviate traffic congestion in and around Majestic area, the tender for the project was awarded in 2015. Initially slated for completion by 2017, the Rs 80-crore project faced setbacks due to challenges such as rocky terrain and project dimensions, ultimately reaching completion in April 2022.
“One of the major hindrances causing the delay was the negotiation of profit-sharing terms between the agency and BBMP, but that issue has been resolved,” said the engineer-in-chief.
He outlined that the agency would be required to pay Rs 1.5 crore annually for the first five years, with a 10% increment each subsequent year for another five years. The total payable amount to BBMP over 10 years, inclusive of maintenance costs, will add up to Rs 17.6 crore.
Addressing concerns over potential under-utilization of the parking facility due to the availability of free parking spaces in the vicinity of Majestic, Prahalad said traffic police have been duly notified, with specific roads identified for regulation.
Traffic police will ban parking on Avenue Road, PC Road, Tank Bund Road, Subedar Chatram Road and Hospital Road to ensure MLCP’s capacity utilization.
The parking tariff structure for MLCP has also been decided, officials said. Two-wheelers will be charged Rs 15 and four-wheelers Rs 25 for the first hour; their subsequent hourly charges will be Rs 7.5 and Rs 12.5, respectively.
With these developments, the multi-level car parking project at Freedom Park stands poised to offer commuters a convenient and efficient parking solution, contributing to alleviating congestion in the bustling Majestic area, Prahalad maintained.
On Feb 16, the Palike issued work orders to a private agency to get the facility up and running by June.
Allaying fears over the project getting bogged down by further delays as has happened earlier, BBMP engineer-in-chief BS Prahalad told STOI that all hurdles have been cleared, leaving only the implementation of the final phase of smart parking pending. “The tender was floated multiple times and we struggled to find the right agency for the project, but now we have identified one and work orders have already been issued,” he said.
The MLCP has been nearly a decade-long endeavour, with various agencies failing to meet BBMP’s requirements like five years of maintenance, incorporation of smart technology and charging only nominal fees. Envisioned primarily to alleviate traffic congestion in and around Majestic area, the tender for the project was awarded in 2015. Initially slated for completion by 2017, the Rs 80-crore project faced setbacks due to challenges such as rocky terrain and project dimensions, ultimately reaching completion in April 2022.
“One of the major hindrances causing the delay was the negotiation of profit-sharing terms between the agency and BBMP, but that issue has been resolved,” said the engineer-in-chief.
He outlined that the agency would be required to pay Rs 1.5 crore annually for the first five years, with a 10% increment each subsequent year for another five years. The total payable amount to BBMP over 10 years, inclusive of maintenance costs, will add up to Rs 17.6 crore.
Addressing concerns over potential under-utilization of the parking facility due to the availability of free parking spaces in the vicinity of Majestic, Prahalad said traffic police have been duly notified, with specific roads identified for regulation.
Traffic police will ban parking on Avenue Road, PC Road, Tank Bund Road, Subedar Chatram Road and Hospital Road to ensure MLCP’s capacity utilization.
The parking tariff structure for MLCP has also been decided, officials said. Two-wheelers will be charged Rs 15 and four-wheelers Rs 25 for the first hour; their subsequent hourly charges will be Rs 7.5 and Rs 12.5, respectively.
With these developments, the multi-level car parking project at Freedom Park stands poised to offer commuters a convenient and efficient parking solution, contributing to alleviating congestion in the bustling Majestic area, Prahalad maintained.