Govt plans parking lot below Vidhana Soudha, more flats at LH

 The government has proposed a basement parking lot below the Vidhana Soudha, besides adding 50 family flats for MLAs at the Legislators’ Home (LH).

 
The parking facility, once ready, can accommodate around 400 vehicles. A survey, which included soil testing, on the feasibility of the project, has been done. While, in Vikasa Soudha, basement-level parking is available up to three levels below ground, the survey has suggested two levels in Vidhana Soudha due to the rocky plates beyond certain depth.

The Public Works department is understood to have received clearance from the technical advisory committee, and a detailed project report is being commissioned. Sources said a three-way entrance is being planned. The cost is yet to be worked out. The parking will be exclusively for the Vidhana Soudha staff, legislators and visitors.

Likewise, the proposal for additional flats, estimated to cost Rs 35 crore, has received a go-ahead. The Legislators’ Home presently has an accommodation for 245 MLAs and MLCs. Accordingly, a 96-vehicles’ parking facility is being constructed by PWD inside the LH.

Once the construction is over, a three-storied building with 50 flats for MLAs will come up. Each apartment, of 850-900 sq ft, will comprise two bedrooms, two bathrooms (one attached), a kitchen and a living room. The allotment of apartments will be based on seniority, with Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa taking the final call.

Further, the department is also planning to convert the existing individual rooms into two-bedroom housing.

With existing accommodation in certain wings of the Legislators’ Home having not changed for 30-40 years, the department is planning to demolish the dividing walls between two rooms and make room for larger accommodation for legislators.