Work on Hampankatta car parking-cum-commercial complex to resume on December 10: Mayor

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, December 1, 2024: Construction of the multi-level car parking-cum-commercial complex at Hampankatta, Mangaluru, is set to resume on December 10, announced Mayor Manoj Kumar on Saturday.

The project, initiated by Mangaluru Smart City Ltd. (MSCL) under the Smart City Mission, has been stalled for the past eight months. The Rs. 90-crore project, awarded in August 2021 to CARZ Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd. under the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model, was originally slated for completion by August 2024.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the site, the Mayor attributed the delay to the demise of one of the partners in the concessionaire firm. However, the deceased partner’s spouse has assured that work will recommence by December 10.

Arunprabha, General Manager (Technical) at MSCL, stated that the project, once restarted, is expected to be completed within 18 months. The concessionaire has so far invested Rs. 12 crore in the project.

The facility, spread over 1.5 acres, will feature two basement floors, a ground floor, and four additional floors. It is designed to accommodate approximately 400 cars and 200 two-wheelers. Entry to the building will be from K. S. Rao Road, while the exit will lead to Light House Hill Road.

As part of the agreement, the concessionaire will remit Rs. 3.4 crore annually to the Mangaluru City Corporation, with the payment increasing by 3% each year.

Meanwhile, local business operators in the area urged the Mayor to expedite the project’s completion, emphasizing the need to address parking challenges in the bustling Hampankatta locality.