A day after Hindustan Times reported how the contractors of various parking lots are flouting norms brazenly, the Noida authority swung into action. The authority on Wednesday asked all parking lot operators to abide by its new policy or be ready to lose the contract.
To decongest city roads, the authority has announced a new parking policy to be implemented from October 1. But all contractors were found flouting norms on the very first day.
According to the new guidelines, a contractor will have to ensure that parking attendants wear a specific uniform, put up a board with details of designated parking space, fee, issue receipts with the help of hand-held electronic machines, and provide contact details of officials in case any motorist wants to lodge a complaint.
"We have made it clear to contractors again that they will have to follow all norms," said a senior authority official.
Contractors had argued that hand-held electronic device cannot be used for issuing slips because the battery lasts only for three hours.
"They cannot escape this norm. The authority in next couple of weeks will ensure that all authorized parking lots will be marked so that contractors do not encroach upon public space. Boards showing charges for different vehicles and other details will also be placed at all authorized parkings," the official said.
Several vehicle owners alleged that contractors do not want to use the electronic device because they want to overcharge the motorists taking advantage of the manual receipts. They said that since there is no proper demarcation of parking space, contractors often encroach roads, causing traffic jams.
The authority official said, "If contractors continue flouting norms, we will cancel their tenders."
The authority has instructed all the contractors to buy the electronic device within 15 days.
"If they fail to procure parking slip device, they will have to face action. In the next couple of days, we will demarcate authorised parking lots with paint strip and put up boards with contact details of the concerned officials," said Harshvardhan Bhadoriya, inspector, Noida authority.
He said the contractors will have to lose contract on not complying the orders. "We have asked all respective circle officers to enforce the fresh parking policy."
New guideline effective from October 1: