MC face losses due to delay in auction of parking lots

As the auction for the parking lots is getting delayed, the municipal corporation (MC) is not only facing losses, but also the staff of tehbazari wing remains busy at several parking lots. The auction for the existing parking lots was scheduled to be held in December.

With the auction, the MC has to also introduce the decreased rates according to which the new parking fee of `2 will be charged from two-wheelers and `5 from four-wheelers.

In January, 2015, the finance and contract committee (F&CC) had given approval to float fresh tenders for various paid parking lots, including multi-level parking at Zone A; Ferozepur Road; main market and I block market in Sarabha Nagar and Feroze Gandhi market, but the decision was kept pending on the orders of local bodies department, as the BJP councillors had raised questions over the meeting and election of two members of F&CC.

Currently, MC is handling the parking lots of Ferozepur Road and Feroze Gandhi Market, besides the multi-level parking near Mata Rani Chowk. But, the parking fee is not being charged at every parking lot on Ferozepur Road. There is no parking fee at Sarabha Nagar's main market and I block market.

Earlier, the MC was also planning to introduce paid parking system at the lots including Dugri Phase-1 market, Sector 32 market, Bhadaur House and others.

According to the sources, many of the staff members of tehbazaari wing are performing duties at parking lots and it has also affected the anti-encroachment drives. Sources said the MC could generate more than `3 crore income annually from these parking lots, if contractors work properly and according to the norms.

According to the sources, the MC can generate good income if honest contractors run these parking lots and visitors do not have to suffer.

It is also required to mention here that the MC officials have already decided that the contractors who were earlier found overcharging will not be allowed to participate in new auction for contract of paid parking.

Pawandeep Singh, a resident, said, “The MC should handover the parking lots only to honest contractors, so that they charge as per parking rates from visitors. This will help in parking vehicles in a proper manner, and vehicles will remain safe under supervision of parking staff.”

It is required to mention here that the contractor of Ferozepur Road and Malhar Road had surrendered their contracts, when complaints were received in large numbers against them. HT had highlighted this issue many times.

Additional commissioner Rishipal Singh said, “I will look into the matter and required steps will be taken in this regard. The auction for the paid parking lots will be conducted soon.”