Hyderabad: Hari Hara Kala Bhavan is to be demolished and a multi- level parking complex for the Hyderabad Metro Rail will take its place. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation will soon invite expressions of interest (EoI) for the project in the public-private model.
A somewhat dark and dingy auditorium that’s probably most visited for magic shows, Hari Hara Kala Bhavan is an example of wasted space. Neglected and unkempt, the auditorium has come a long way from its glory days. It hosts a few events every month, mostly award ceremonies, plays, and film festivals. Structurally it is in a dilapidated condition.
At a review meeting headed by Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi it was decided that a 10 or 15 floor new building will be erected here, with 75 per cent of the new structure to be used for automated multi-level parking and the remaining space for commercial establishments and banquet halls.
A senior GHMC official, who did not want to be named, said that the new complex will merge the one acre parking space in use by HMRL and the two acres of Hari Hara Kala Bhavan.
There will also be skywalks connecting parking complexes which will come up at Jubilee Bus station, Old Gandhi Hospital (four acres) and Jail Khana (four acres) in Monda Market, Secunderabad. The GHMC official said that the skywalks would be directly connected to multi-level parking complexes and metro rail stations, where pedestrians can walk to Sangeet Road, Secunderabad Station, Jubilee Bus station, General Bazar and other places.
The GHMC official said that the corporation will also provide chain parking. Chain parking is defined as parking in the same spot for the maximum allowable time, then moving your car down the same block to continue parking. Chain parking encourages off-street parking as a more convenient and less expensive alternative.
He said that 42 parking complexes have been proposed and the Chief Secretary requested all city departments to send in proposals as per land availability and requirement of the department. For instance, exclusive parking for advocates in Saroornagar has been proposed. The ownership of the land will not be changed after constructing the parking complexes.
