New Delhi: The much-awaited multi-level car parking facility at Nehru Place will be open to the public on Tuesday and is expected to ease congestion in the busy commercial district. Lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and chief minister Rekha Gupta attended the inauguration of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) parking on Monday. Both pointed out that the project marked a key step in revamping Nehru Place —one of Asia’s largest IT and commercial hubs — which sees an average daily footfall of over 1.3 lakh visitors.Developed by DDA under the Urban Development Fund of the Union housing and urban affairs ministry, the six-level structure, including a basement, spans 29,664 square metres and cost Rs 62.4 crore. The project, conceived in 2021-22, aims to address persistent parking shortages in the area, which houses numerous offices, IT outlets, restaurants and retail establishments.The 24×7 facility can accommodate about 660 cars, including 56 spaces reserved for persons with disabilities, and 352 two-wheelers. It has power backup and nine subsidised electric vehicle charging stations.Equipped with automated ticketing, digital parking guidance displays, LED lighting, firefighting systems, CCTV surveillance and lifts, the complex also has dedicated pedestrian pathways and ramps to provide barrier-free access.Saxena said the facility would help eliminate unauthorised parking in the area. “The facility reflects our commitment to organised, accessible and sustainable urban infrastructure. Our policy is one of zero tolerance towards unauthorised parking. I urge citizens to use this modern facility and support our vision of a greener and smarter Delhi,” he said. South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri tweeted that it would be a boon for locals. An official said Nehru Place had long grappled with haphazard parking spilling onto roads and footpaths, leading to congestion. “With a vehicle parking for an average of eight hours, we are expecting at least 3,000 vehicles to use the facility every day. For payment, we will add FasTAG facility in a week in addition to online payment,” he said, adding that the concessionaire running the complex for two years will also maintain it. Landscaping and painting work was done around the site. Built as a reinforced cement concrete structure, the complex is designed to withstand seismic conditions specific to Delhi. Lightweight autoclaved aerated concrete blocks have been used in place of conventional bricks, while shear walls provide additional stability, officials said. The vacuum dewatered concrete technology will enhance surface durability and minimise cracking, making the structure suitable for heavy vehicular movement with lower maintenance needs. The project incorporates sustainability measures, including tree transplantation and compensatory plantation. A vertical garden covering approximately 400 square metres will be developed on one exterior wall. Two rainwater harvesting systems have been installed to promote water conservation and prevent waterlogging.The layout has been kept spacious to facilitate smooth parking and manoeuvring. The facility integrates intelligent parking management and guidance systems to help users locate vacant spaces on every floor. It also features mechanical ventilation with air-quality monitoring, energy-efficient lighting and a facade with GRC jali work to maximise natural daylight and reduce power consumption.
