<p>The New Delhi Municipal Council decided to opt for fully automated multi-level parking to solve the parking woes of motorists in its jurisdiction, but the initial experience at its first such facility in Sarojini Nagar has raised several questions over their utility in India, especially in context of location, technology and infrastructure involved.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Capital’s first automated multi-level parking South Square became operational on December 1. However, the system crashed twice in the first 10 days, bringing the processing time involved in parking and retrieving cars and the problem of serving breaking down under scanner. <br /><br />The NDMC officials, however, claim that going by the space crunch in the city, there is no alternative to fully-automated parking as ramp-based parking too requires extended space. “In Sarojini Nagar, we have created space for 824 cars at a place where only 60 vehicles could be parked earlier. The technical glitches are being looked after, which would be in place with time.” said Amit Prasad, Director (PR), NDMC. Prasad added that adequate study has been done before opting for such facilities which which are working well in European and other countries like Japan.<br /><br />Questions are also being raised about having such parking lots near market places. <br />“Such projects would be more successful if they are located near commercial and office centres where people would park their cars once and retrieve it only in the evening. In markets, people keep coming and going. Some drop in only to buy an ice cream and it will take more time for them to park and retrieve their car, than for the business they came for,” says an NDMC official requesting anonymity. He believes that due to the reason, the upcoming multi-level parking at Baba Kharak Singh Marg near Connaught Place is likely to be a success, despite using similar technology at South Square.<br /><br />The lift ratio (number of lifts vis-a-vis the capacity of the parking facilities) at the multi-level parking is also a concern that could contribute to the success or failure of such projects. “The lift ratio at the upcoming multi-level parking at Delhi High Court, which is based on a different technology, is around 30, while the ratio at South Square in Sarojini Nagar is as high as 100,” an official involved with the project said. South Square has capacity to accommodate 824 cars and has only eight elevators to park and retrieve cars that increases the parking-retrieval time for the commuters.<br /><br />While BKS Marg parking is likely to be operational in a month, the NDMC also plans to come up with similar multi-level parking at KG Marg, Khan Market and Mandir Marg.<br /><br />In the pipeline<br /><em><br />41 Parking Projects proposed by MCD</em><br /><br />22 Conventional/Multi-storey Parking<br /><br />* Work on at 13 parking places — total capacity of 4,130 cars<br />* Process of issuing tenders at various stages for 7 parking spaces (2,447 cars)<br /><br />15 Multi-level Fully Automated Parking <br /><br />* Only Kamla Nagar parking is on the verge of completion<br />* Work is about to begin at South Extension and Greater Kailash-I<br />* Defence Colony, Shastri Park and Rani Bagh projects likely to be taken up next financial year <br /><br />4 Stack Parking<br /><br />* Paharganj project completed and inaugurated<br />* Work begun at another parking project in North Delhi<br />* Tendering process in initial stages for other 2 projects<br /><br /><br />DDA Plan<br /><br />Delhi Development Authority has framed a new Master Plan 2021, for a projected population of 230 lakh in 2021. The present parking policy and norms are being reviewed. The idea is to explore the use of underground space and also put up multi-storeyed superstructures for parking. The DDA plans a second-hand car market on the city’s periphery, banishing used car dealers from valuable parking and public spaces they now occupy. The Master Plan promotes mixed land use and more reliance on mass transport systems.</p>
<p>The New Delhi Municipal Council decided to opt for fully automated multi-level parking to solve the parking woes of motorists in its jurisdiction, but the initial experience at its first such facility in Sarojini Nagar has raised several questions over their utility in India, especially in context of location, technology and infrastructure involved.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Capital’s first automated multi-level parking South Square became operational on December 1. However, the system crashed twice in the first 10 days, bringing the processing time involved in parking and retrieving cars and the problem of serving breaking down under scanner. <br /><br />The NDMC officials, however, claim that going by the space crunch in the city, there is no alternative to fully-automated parking as ramp-based parking too requires extended space. “In Sarojini Nagar, we have created space for 824 cars at a place where only 60 vehicles could be parked earlier. The technical glitches are being looked after, which would be in place with time.” said Amit Prasad, Director (PR), NDMC. Prasad added that adequate study has been done before opting for such facilities which which are working well in European and other countries like Japan.<br /><br />Questions are also being raised about having such parking lots near market places. <br />“Such projects would be more successful if they are located near commercial and office centres where people would park their cars once and retrieve it only in the evening. In markets, people keep coming and going. Some drop in only to buy an ice cream and it will take more time for them to park and retrieve their car, than for the business they came for,” says an NDMC official requesting anonymity. He believes that due to the reason, the upcoming multi-level parking at Baba Kharak Singh Marg near Connaught Place is likely to be a success, despite using similar technology at South Square.<br /><br />The lift ratio (number of lifts vis-a-vis the capacity of the parking facilities) at the multi-level parking is also a concern that could contribute to the success or failure of such projects. “The lift ratio at the upcoming multi-level parking at Delhi High Court, which is based on a different technology, is around 30, while the ratio at South Square in Sarojini Nagar is as high as 100,” an official involved with the project said. South Square has capacity to accommodate 824 cars and has only eight elevators to park and retrieve cars that increases the parking-retrieval time for the commuters.<br /><br />While BKS Marg parking is likely to be operational in a month, the NDMC also plans to come up with similar multi-level parking at KG Marg, Khan Market and Mandir Marg.<br /><br />In the pipeline<br /><em><br />41 Parking Projects proposed by MCD</em><br /><br />22 Conventional/Multi-storey Parking<br /><br />* Work on at 13 parking places — total capacity of 4,130 cars<br />* Process of issuing tenders at various stages for 7 parking spaces (2,447 cars)<br /><br />15 Multi-level Fully Automated Parking <br /><br />* Only Kamla Nagar parking is on the verge of completion<br />* Work is about to begin at South Extension and Greater Kailash-I<br />* Defence Colony, Shastri Park and Rani Bagh projects likely to be taken up next financial year <br /><br />4 Stack Parking<br /><br />* Paharganj project completed and inaugurated<br />* Work begun at another parking project in North Delhi<br />* Tendering process in initial stages for other 2 projects<br /><br /><br />DDA Plan<br /><br />Delhi Development Authority has framed a new Master Plan 2021, for a projected population of 230 lakh in 2021. The present parking policy and norms are being reviewed. The idea is to explore the use of underground space and also put up multi-storeyed superstructures for parking. The DDA plans a second-hand car market on the city’s periphery, banishing used car dealers from valuable parking and public spaces they now occupy. The Master Plan promotes mixed land use and more reliance on mass transport systems.</p>