Paid parking: Is it a service or just a flourishing racket?

Parking lot contractors across the city have failed to follow rules and are charging double the allowed money. HT decided to do a reality check on the state of parking lots and we started from the facility outside the Elante Mall and found that overcharging was rampant. Four-wheelers were being charged Rs 20 for entry, while rules mandate Rs 10 for full-day parking.

Parking lot contractors across the city have failed to follow rules and are charging double the allowed money.

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HT decided to do a reality check on the state of parking lots and we started from the facility outside the Elante Mall and found that overcharging was rampant. Four-wheelers were being charged Rs 20 for entry, while rules mandate Rs 10 for full-day parking.

When questioned, the staff was rude and tried to intimidate the HT team. None of the staff members was wearing uniform, there were no CCTV cameras installed at the entry or exit points. Contractor Lal Chand, admitted that there were no CCTV cameras at the lot, the staff was without uniform and they lacked electronic-receipt machines, but said that staff could not overcharge. He pleaded to the HT team not to carry the story as the MC could fine him heavily.

BOOM BARRIER NOT WORKING

At the Empire Store automated parking lot in Sector 17, the contractor was found charging Rs 10, instead of the mandated Rs 5. The automated boom barrier was non-functional. The rules for the lot by the MC state that Rs 5 per entry will be charged for two hours and subsequently Rs 10 per hour and part thereof for four-wheelers. One of the conditions state that the automatic boom barrier is non-functional, the contractor can only charge Rs 5 for a four wheeler and Rs 2 for two-wheelers.

“I have also received complaint that some members of my staff overcharged. Those found doing so were dismissed,” he said. The terms and conditions for parking contractors states that one member of the staff needs to be present at 50 metre, however, not even a single parking employee was found inside the lot. MC joint commissioner Sarita Malik said the matter would be investigated.