The state’s first semi-automatic multilevel car parking facility is just a cut-of–ribbon away as the JK Economic and Reconstruction Agency is waiting for Chief Minister’s nod to inaugurate the modern facility.The parking has been completed at the erstwhile KMDA at Lal Chowk here being tested for trail runs and shall be operational soon, ERA officials said.This hi-tech parking facility in city centre is being constructed by JKERA under its ongoing JKUSDIP (Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme) funded by Asian Development Bank.The parking constructed at a cost of Rs 27.15 crore, consists of five levels which will accommodate 288 light motor vehicles and provide much needed parking facility in one of busiest commercial places in summer capital.The facility comprises of 4 bays in 5 levels with each having parking space for 72 light motor vehicles. The facility is spread over an area of 1545 sqm which also includes three storied commercial complex comprising of office space and public toilet.
The parking facility with entry from Maulana Azad road and exit from exchange road will provide easy and safe parking for vehicle owners who will have to just place their vehicle over the automated pellet and vehicle will be automatically placed in the available vacant parking slot and similarly will be retrieved back from the slot and placed at the automated pellet with whole process taking 2 to 2.5 minutes.The process will be undertaken with the help of imported HID (Human Interface Device) called PLC (Programmed Logic Control Unit) which will be operated by trained engineers and technicians of M/S Simplex engineers private limited who will operate the parking facility for the period of three years as per provisions of the contract and will simultaneously train and build capacities of personnel from SDA (Srinagar Development Authority) who will operate the facility after expiry of operation and maintenance period with the contractor.Officials in the ERA said that the agency is waiting for a nod from the chief minister’s office to inaugurate it for people.“It will ease traffic and parking in the congested city centre, and will be first of its kind in the state,” the officials said. (KNS)