Charges displayed on boards

Motorists will no longer get fleeced at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA) pay-and-park facilities.

Motorists will no longer get fleeced at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA) pay-and-park facilities.

HT Image

Two weeks after HT reported about rampant fleecing at the MMRDA parking lots, the authority is taking efforts to improve services.

Boards with the official parking charges and complaint numbers have been prominently displayed at parking lots. Also, a system has been formed, where vehicle owners can lodge complaint against errant contractors.

“We are in the process of debarring errant contractors from participating in the next tendering process. For the next bidding, we are formulating stringent actions against contractors who violate rules,” said Aneel Wankhade, deputy metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA.

“We were unaware about these practices, but we will be more vigilant now,” he added.

When HT visited the parking lots in January, contractors were charging motorists Rs100- 150 for an hour, while the official rate is Rs10 for a four-wheeler for parking of up to 2 hours.

HT found that no rate cards had been displayed and there was no system to lodge complaints against contractors overcharging motorists.

Assuring that the new system will be more effective, Wankhade said actions will be taken within seven days after a complaint is lodged.

The MMRDA is now looking at coming up with a long-term solution to the problem.

The authority will be sending notices to a few corporate houses in BKC asking them to accommodate employees’ cars in their own premises.

In HT’s visit to these lots, it was observed that most parking lots were occupied by vehicles of employees’ working nearby.

“By next month, there will be another pay-and-park in BKC, so there will be no shortage of parking space. A multi-level parking is under construction, which will be completed in two years,” said Wankhade, adding that surprise checks will be conducted.