Feroze Gandhi market auction flops

LUDHIANA: Contrary to the expectations of municipal corporation, an auction organized for the parking lot at Feroze Gandhi market proved futile as only three bidders appeared for it on Monday. However, given the fact that the prospective contractor would not be allowed to arrange for parking on roads or pavements, minimal interest was shown in the bidding.
The process started with a reserve price of Rs 76.26 lakh but applicants ' only three were present ' did not seem keen.
There is a total of five parking lots in Feroze Gandhi market, in which there is capacity of parking 70 four-wheelers and around 200 two-wheelers. The previous contract is scheduled to end on February 20, due to which the auction was held on Monday. However, with no positive results, the process would start again, probably in a week's time.
In the last auction, the lot's reserve price was Rs 66.6 lakh. The applicants had reportedly requested the civic authorities to reduce it this time. However, rules state that the auction has to be organized three times and if there is no response, the reserve price can be brought down.
Superintendent of Zone D Amardeep Singh Gill said they had to cancel the bidding due to poor response. ''The next auction will take place next week and the notice will be issued again,'' he added.
Sources said the previous contractor used to allow parking on roads and pavements, due to which commuters passing through the market and shopkeepers running their businesses from there used to face many problems.
The members of Traders and Property Owners Association had filed a petition in January 2009 against the parking problem and menace created by dealers of the car market. Though the case is pending, the court had directed civic authorities not to allow parking on pavements or roads. Sources said this was another reason why applicants were showing resistance in applying.