The integrated transport nagar project, proposed to resolve the parking problem of the Baddi industrial belt, is awaiting nod from the Centre.

The project is to be developed under the Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) scheme.

The state government has sent its recommendation to the Centre for its inclusion under the ASIDE scheme. It is pertinent to note that the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority (BBNDA) had invited bids for the project in November 2008, but it received lukewarm response from investors. Since then, the fate of the project is hanging fire and the authority decided to move to the Centre for its development.

?Earlier, we thought of going in for re-bidding of the project but then it was finalised to develop it under central assistance,? a senior official of BBNDA said. Moreover, the site where the transport nagar was to be developed has been shifted from Jharmajri to Sandholi village in Baddi. Meera Mohanty, chief executive officer, BBNDA said around 135 bigha has been earmarked for constructing the transport nagar at Sandholi village.

?We are awaiting clearance from the Centre to take the project forward. Though the area is less than what was originally planned but it can still accommodate about 700 trucks. Approximately, Rs 11 crore will be spent on the project and the funds will be provided by the central government,? said Mohanty.

As per estimates, around 3,000 vehicles are registered with the Nalagarh Truck Union. Besides this, there are separate unions for medium trucks, tempos and autos. These vehicles are parked along main road on NH-21 leading to traffic snarls.

The independent vehicles further add to the congestion. BBNDA had earlier selected a site at Jharmajri where a truck terminal and a commercial facility was planned on a built-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. The plan also envisages construction of rest rooms and a parking facility for nearly 1,500-2,000 trucks.

Out of the proposed facilities at the transport nagar like warehouses, service stations, petrol pumps, offices for transporters and financial institutions etc, a few may be developed now.