Chandigarh: In a major blow to the MC, the Chandigarh administration has turned down its proposal to incorporate commercial spaces in the underground parking lots of sectors 17 and 8.Replying to the MC’s proposal to convert the existing surface parking at Elante Mall in Industrial Area into a multilevel parking facility with a commercial component, the UT said that since no such policy exists at present, one needs to be formulated at the level of the competent authority.The UT’s replies came following a letter from mayor Saurabh Joshi, who suggested providing a commercial component with the parking infrastructure so that the parking lots could be converted into revenue-generating entities. He pointed out that significant capital investment would be needed for their reconstruction.The UT urban planning department gave point-wise replies to all three MC proposals: the underground parking in Sector 17, the underground parking in Sector 8, and the surface parking along Elante Mall.The department cited the provisions of the Chandigarh Master Plan (CMP)-2031, its overall impact, and the element of congestion. The underground parking lots are lying defunct and require complete reconstruction due to multiple structural safety concerns. The MC’s proposal to include a commercial component was intended to make them financially viable for agencies.“These parking lots require a huge amount of money to reconstruct and renovate. Without a proper and viable commercial component, no agency or bidder will come forward to take up the underground parking projects,” sources in the MC told TOI.Box: UT’s replies to proposalsBox 1: Sector 17 underground parking (with commercial component)“The parking area is not merely a standalone parking facility but constitutes an integral component of the commercial area of Sector 17. Therefore, incorporation of commercial space within this underground parking facility may not be considered, as the intended purpose and functional usage of the parking facility are distinct in nature.”The UT said the matter may be considered in the larger perspective of the overall planning and development of Sector 17, Chandigarh.Box 2: Underground parking in Sector 8 (with commercial component)“It is pertinent to mention that the SCOs along Madhya Marg have already been developed at the site in accordance with the approved layout plan of the commercial area. The space where the underground parking has been proposed is required solely for parking, as parking availability is already a major challenge in the area.”The UT said constructing new commercial shops in front of the existing showrooms would not be feasible, as it would adversely affect their commercial value and increase traffic congestion.Box 3: Industrial area surface to multilevel parking(with commercial component)“Regarding the parking site in front of Elante Mall in Industrial Area Phase I, its location has been marked in red on the layout plan of the area. The site has already been developed as a surface parking facility. As per the provisions of the Chandigarh Master Plan-2031 under the Traffic and Transport Proposals, ‘to preserve the city’s green open spaces, underground parking lots are recommended as a general solution. However, in the Industrial Area, where high-rise buildings are being constructed, above-ground parking facilities may be considered as community parking on vacant plots.’”The primary reason for parking-related congestion in the Industrial Area is the spillover of vehicles from Elante Mall. Therefore, a detailed justification from the traffic police and the MC is required before any further decision is taken, the UT said.As far as introducing a commercial component along the Elante Mall parking site is concerned, the UT said the mall itself is a major commercial hub, and any additional commercial development would increase parking demand even further.It also cited the Chandigarh Building Rules (CBR), 2017, which do not currently prescribe any norms for incorporating a commercial component within standalone multi-level parking projects.
