The new Parliament complex and buildings that are being built as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project will have parking for at least 16,000 cars, and while that may mean a likely increase in traffic volume in the area, enough mitigation measures will be put in place to ensure there is no congestion or impact on traffic movement, the architectural consultant for the project said.
Parking space for 14,095 vehicles will be provided in the common central secretariat buildings, central conference centre, SPG building, and the Prime Minister and Vice President’s residences, according to details provided to the Expert Appraisal Committee of the environment ministry by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which is executing the project. 13,719 parking spaces will be available in the common central secretariat buildings and the conference centre, out of a total of 14,095 available.
According to the consultant, a designated parking space for over 1,000 cars and about 30 buses will be developed along Central Vista Avenue (HCP Design, Planning and Management Private Limited). At the moment, the area can hold up to 600 cars. According to HCP, the proposed MP chambers and the new Parliament building will have surface and basement parking for nearly 900 vehicles.
It’s unclear how many parking spaces are available in the area, which is home to several government buildings.
The area’s employee population, which is currently around 57,000, is expected to grow by 10-15% once the project is completed.
“The increase in employee population is expected to be between 10-15 percent, as people essential for the functioning of the Government of India will be brought here as all ministries will be consolidated in the Central Secretariat,” HCP said in an email response to HT’s query. However, approximately 9,000 people who are currently working out of offices behind North and South Blocks will be relocated to offices outside of the Central Vista area.
Civil society members claim that the project will exacerbate already-existing traffic congestion. During rush hour, the traffic volume (pre-pandemic) at C-hexagon at India Gate is around 5,500 passenger car units per hour, according to Delhi Traffic Police. Because it is one of the most important roads for north-south connectivity, the C-hexagon sees a lot of traffic. Prior to the pandemic, the average traffic speed was 40-45 kilometres per hour.
A senior CPWD official said: “We have carried out detailed studies and submitted our proposal for traffic improvement to Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC), which is the apex body that approves all transportation and traffic-related projects in Delhi. However, we will be providing service roads near entrance/exits of the buildings to make traffic flow smooth without affecting traffic on main roads. We are also providing Automated People Mover/light metro which will encourage people to use public transport and reduce vehicular traffic.”
