Ludhiana Revives Multi-Level Car Parking Plans on Minister's Directive
Plans to construct multi-level car parking lots in Ludhiana have resurfaced, with city officials initiating fresh discussions following directions from local bodies minister Sanjeev Arora. This renewed effort aims to tackle the acute need for organized parking spaces that has plagued the city for years.
Previous Projects Stalled Under Congress Government
Despite the pressing demand, two significant multi-level car parking (MLCP) projects proposed under the Smart City Mission were dropped during the tenure of the previous Congress government. These projects were planned for Feroze Gandhi Market and Pratap Bazaar, both critical commercial areas suffering from severe parking shortages.
Feroze Gandhi Market: From Adequate to Chaotic
Feroze Gandhi Market, once regarded as the city's financial hub with adequate parking facilities, has seen a dramatic deterioration in recent years. The area now experiences regular traffic congestion and chaos due to insufficient parking options.
Currently, five small parking lots operate in the market, but these remain consistently overcrowded. This forces visitors to park vehicles on the roadside, triggering prolonged traffic jams that disrupt commercial activities throughout the day.
Earlier Proposal Deemed Insufficient
Officials had previously proposed a multi-level parking facility in Feroze Gandhi Market with a capacity of approximately 650 cars. However, the market association flagged this capacity as inadequate, citing the heavy footfall in an area that houses:
- Main branches of most major banks
- The Ludhiana Stock Exchange
- Numerous commercial establishments
Additionally, officials from the local bodies department had advised the municipal corporation to consider the high project cost, estimated at Rs 75 crore, which contributed to the project's previous stagnation.
Pratap Bazaar Project Hurdles
At Pratap Bazaar, the municipal corporation faced different challenges. Despite land being available for the project, authorities could not obtain a necessary no-objection certificate from the zila parishad. Sources indicate that fresh plans are now being developed for this area as part of the renewed initiative.
Minister's Directive Sparks Renewed Efforts
According to sources familiar with the matter, local bodies minister Sanjeev Arora recently convened a meeting with officials from concerned departments. During this meeting, he directed them to review earlier proposals and prepare new ones wherever suitable sites for parking facilities can be identified.
Exploring New Locations and Approaches
Rahul Verma, a Sarabha Nagar-based businessman involved in planning discussions, suggested that new locations should also be explored. He noted that vehicle ownership has increased significantly while parking space remains limited.
"Areas such as Feroze Gandhi Market, Ghumar Mandi, and parts of the old city urgently require better traffic management," Verma emphasized. "Without designated parking facilities, advising people against roadside parking proves completely ineffective."
Officials Confirm Ongoing Discussions
MC superintending engineer Sham Lal Gupta confirmed that discussions on the parking issue are currently underway. The renewed focus comes as officials consider implementing such projects on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis, potentially making them more financially viable.
History of Failed Parking Initiatives
Earlier attempts to ease parking pressure through alternative initiatives have consistently failed to materialize. Notable examples include:
- Plans to construct an underground parking facility at Ferozepur Road for shoppers of Ghumar Mandi that never took off
- Proposals to utilize the basement of a multi-level building on Rani Jhansi Road that remained unimplemented
Project Stalled Repeatedly: Key Points
Multi-level car parking plans in Ludhiana have been revived following directions from local bodies minister Sanjeev Arora. The previous Congress government had dropped MLCP projects at both Feroze Gandhi Market and Pratap Bazaar. Feroze Gandhi Market faces a severe parking crunch despite five existing parking lots, with an earlier proposal for 650-car parking deemed inadequate by the market association. The Pratap Bazaar project stalled earlier due to lack of NOC from the zila parishad, while the estimated cost of the Feroze Gandhi Market parking project was pegged at Rs 75 crore. Previous plans for underground parking at Ferozepur Road and Rani Jhansi Road basement also failed to materialize.
