Corporators lash out against parking mafia

Parking in north Delhi came under the corporation’s scanner on Monday as both the House and Opposition members lashed out against allegations of parking mafia overcharging commuters.

Parking in north Delhi came under the corporation’s scanner on Monday as both the House and Opposition members lashed out against allegations of parking mafia overcharging commuters.

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Corporators raised the issue with mayor Azad Singh in the House meeting on Monday, saying the parking mafia is running amok at various sites such as Gandhi Maidan and Parade Ground parking lots.

“When the monthly parking rate is Rs 600, they are charging Rs 800. This is how they are looting residents of north Delhi. When the corporation has not changed the parking fee, how can contractors overcharge,” leader of the Opposition in north corporation, Mukesh Goel, said.

When contacted, Sanjay Bhargava, general secretary of the Chandni Chowk Sarv Vypar Mandal, said the contractor at Parade Ground parking has been charging Rs 30 per entry as against Rs 10 approved by the civic body.

“From Friday, the lot is charging Rs 30 for surface parking. If anyone raises their voice, they are threatened and ordered not to park at the lot. They are also issuing parking slips of MCD with Jama Masjid printed as site of parking and not Parade Ground,” Bhargava said.

Municipal commissioner PK Gupta said showcause notices will be sent to parking contractors against whom the complaints have been filed. “First-time offenders will have to pay 25 per cent of their licence fee as fine, which will become 50 per cent the second time, 75 per cent the third time and 100 per cent the fourth time. If a contractor is found overcharging the fifth time, his licence will be cancelled,” Gupta said.

Leader of the House Mahinder Nagpal said that these unscrupulous individuals needed to be dealt with stern action. “We didn’t raise the parking charges thinking about the people. However, some people are doing exactly that. I had called three days back and asked the officials about this after a complaint came to me. The parking mafia won’t be tolerated,” Nagpal said.