CHENNAI: The much awaited multi-level parking lot project in West Tambaram, at the location where the old bus terminus used to function, is inching closer to reality three years after it was announced.
The Tambaram Municipality appointed Mumbai-based consultants Darashaw in March 2015, to conduct feasibility studies on the project. The inception report has been presented, informed municipality officials. “We expect the project report to be submitted to us in another two months’ time, based on which we will prepare estimates and forward it to the State Government,” said Municipal Commissioner N Ravichandran.
The project announced in May 2012, after the erstwhile bus terminus was moved to Tambaram Sanatorium, has been hanging fire for longer than necessary. Tambaram is a major connecting point to the city, and buses operating southwards halt in this locality, while the Tambaram Railway Station is located adjacent.
K Jamuna Devi, a local resident, said that of late, even walking through the crowded market and streets of West Tambaram was proving to be a challenge. “People who travel from residential areas like Mudichur and Chrompet to shop here have no space to park their vehicles,” she said.
Officials said that the parking lot project was expected to cost around Rs 40-50 crore, and that land acquisition was not a problem as the Municipality already owned the land. “The commercial establishments on the land, including the hotels, operate on lease from the municipality and they have been notified that if needed, they will be required to vacate. So, there will be no legal issues,” said Ravichandran.
However, the municipality is looking to make additional income from the project than just the charges collected for parking vehicles. “We are looking to build a half-parking lot-half-commercial-mall type structure so that through the rent, we can recover the costs incurred in its construction quickly,” Ravichandran added.
“There will be four floors of parking with two or three floors built for commercial activity. This is our suggestion and we have asked the consultants to conduct the study with these stipulations,” he said.
Tambaram Municipal Chairman M Karikalan was not available for comment.