Gurgaon malls increase parking charge to R100

To cash in on the rush during festive season, various malls on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon road have hiked parking fee. FAIZAN HAIDER reports.

To cash in on the rush during festive season, various malls on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon road have hiked parking fee.

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Many visitors who visited malls on this stretch to celebrate the Christmas weekend were greeted with a rude shock.

"How can the mall authorities be allowed to overcharge? There should be some guideline or authority who can check this last minute increase," said Shradha Anand, who had gone to Sahara Mall for dinner with her family on Christmas eve.

The parking at this mall for four wheelers was R30 for the last two years but just two days ago it was increased to R100.

"Instead of increasing the fare after the first two hours we have started charging R100 and the owner can park his car as long as he wants. Only those who will park for short duration will have to pay more," said Joginder, manager of Sahara Mall.

Pratap, parking manager of Ambience Mall, said they have to give their staff bonus during parking season and this is the reason why they have increased the parking charge.

"It is the decision taken by the management but the hike is only R10. Earlier we used to charge R40 and now we are charging R50," he said.

Even two-wheelers have not been spared. The usual parking charge of R20 for two hours has been hiked to R50 for unlimited period.

But despite the hike, the parking lots at all the malls were almost full with many waiting for their turn to park their cars. Shoppers said they were left with no option but to pay the increased charge.

Sanjao Rao, DLF spokesperson, gives another reason: "This was done to discourage people from taking their cars to malls. We have limited capacity and were hoping that the rush to park their car will be less after the hike."

The weekend rush in Gurgaon had spilled on to the Metro stations as well. Many people had parked their vehicles on the roads.