NASHIK: The tender for the proposed parking at Yashwant Mandai will be issued in the next eight days to resolve the parking problem at the market in the central part of the city. Nashikites hope the tender which is to be issued for the fourth time in the last eight years after many hiccups will settle the parking issue at Ravivar Karanja once and for all and help people free from traffic bottlenecks.
A delegation of city traders, businessmen, and office bearers of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena met Smart City CEO Sumant More in protest of the Junction Trial Run at Ravivar Karanja and Dindori Naka in Panchavati. On the occasion, CEO More assured the office bearers and traders over the parking issue.
Background: In the year 2014-15, the then Municipal Commissioner Praveen Gedam and the then corporator Late Surekha Bhosale had inspected the parking lot at Yashwant Mandai and approved in principle eight-storeyed parking with 2 storeys below and 6 storeys above. At that time, space was planned for the original 21 tenants and large ramp parking in the remaining space. Subsequently, Smart City Company was given works of Yashwant Mandai, and Kalidas Kalamandir. However, it was decided to do this work by sanctioning some grants from the state government from the MLA’s development fund. Over time, the grant was used for other development projects, and the proposed parking work was again handed over to the Smart City Company.
Meanwhile, the then Smart City CEO sought advice from a consulting firm. The company insisted on high-tech parking and approved a mechanical plan, but Smart City issued a tender, but no one responded. The same tender was issued again two months later but no response was received. After six months, it invited big companies; however, no one came forward to do the work. Thus three years were wasted in the process.
Current status: A meeting was held yesterday (Dec 15) between traders, office bearers, and officials of Smart City. It was decided that the tender will be issued keeping in view of the facts and the work has been proposed to do through a combination of BOT (built, operate, and transfer) basis and Smart City. During the meeting, Smart City also assured that a presentation would be made to Nashikites on the work done so far at Ravivar Karanja, Ashok Stambh, and Dahipool, the delegation officials told Deshdoot.
Smart City CEO More could not be reached for comment. The meeting was attended by Corporator Vaishali Bhosale, Dilip Datir, Sachin Bhosale, Naresh Parkh, Girish Navshe. Prakash Chaudhary, Ankush Pawar, Mayur Kale as well as trade office bearers and activists were present.
“We will not allow any other work of Smart City to take place till the parking work starts at Yashwant Mandai. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is opposing to this work. This problem can be solved by additionally building multi-storeyed parking on a plot near Rajebahadur Hospital at Mahatma Gandhi Road.”- Sachin Bhosale, MNS
“We have supported all the work undertaken by the Smart City company. The junction development trial run is causing inconvenience to the citizens. Parking work at Yashwant Mandai should be done before prioritizing the junction work. The proposed junction work has disappointed traders and citizens who will take to the streets in protest.” – Vaishali Bhosale, Corporator
