Chandigarh parking fee hike: Chandigarh MC Proposes Up to 40% Hike in Parking Fees Amid Financial Crisis

Chandigarh parking fee hike: Facing a severe financial crunch, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation proposes a 30-40% hike in parking fees at 87 parking lots. The proposal will be tabled in the General House meeting on April 30.

Chandigarh parking fee hike: In a bid to combat the severe financial crisis that has gripped the Municipal Corporation (MC) of Chandigarh, the civic body is planning to hike parking fees by 30 to 40 percent at 87 parking lots under its jurisdiction. The proposal, which will be tabled at the upcoming General House meeting scheduled for April 30, has sparked concerns among the residents and commuters who are already grappling with the rising cost of living.

Proposed Chandigarh Parking Fee Increases

As part of the revised parking fee structure, the MC has proposed a significant increase in the parking charges for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. For two-wheelers, the parking fees are expected to rise as follows:

• Rs 7 to Rs 10 for a duration of 15 minutes to 4 hours
• Rs 10 to Rs 16 for parking between 4 to 8 hours
• Additional Rs 5 per hour after 8 hours

For four-wheelers, the increase will be as follows:

• Rs 14 to Rs 20 for 15 minutes to 4 hours
• Rs 25 for parking between 4 to 8 hours
• Additional Rs 10 per hour for every additional hour beyond 8 hours

Notably, the parking fees for prominent locations like Elante Mall, Fun Republic in Mani Majra, and Piccadilly MultiPlex will see an even steeper rise:

• Rs 35 for up to 4 hours
• Rs 50 for 4 to 8 hours
• Rs 5 for every additional hour

While the proposed hike is seen as a necessary step to generate more revenue, critics have raised concerns over the financial burden it may impose on daily commuters.

Reasons Behind the Proposed Fee Increase

The MC’s proposal is being driven by a mounting financial crisis, as the corporation looks for ways to enhance its revenue streams. Parking fees have been a significant source of income for municipal corporations, and with Chandigarh’s infrastructure expanding, the demand for parking spaces has increased.

The last revision in parking fees occurred in 2022, when the rates for two-wheelers were increased from Rs 6 to Rs 7, and for four-wheelers, the fee went up from Rs 12 to Rs 14. According to an MC official, these rates had not been revised for over two years, and with inflation and increased operational costs, a hike was deemed necessary.

Smart Parking System on the Horizon

In addition to the proposed fee hike, the MC is considering the introduction of a smart parking system to streamline parking management. As part of this plan, the MC is contemplating issuing a fresh Request for Proposal (RFP) to integrate a high-tech solution for parking management. This system will aim to enhance the efficiency of the parking infrastructure and improve revenue collection.

A key aspect of the smart parking initiative is the introduction of a mechanism to capture accurate parking time data for each vehicle. The Society for Promotion of IT in Chandigarh (SPIC) may be tasked with providing the necessary software solution, integrated with Point of Sale (POS) machines, to track the parking duration at each paid parking lot accurately.

A Look Ahead

The proposed parking fee hike and the introduction of the smart parking system are set to reshape Chandigarh’s parking landscape. However, the success of these initiatives will depend largely on the General House’s approval and the public’s response. While the increase in fees could provide much-needed financial relief for the MC, it remains to be seen how the residents and businesses of Chandigarh will adapt to these changes.

For more updates on the MC’s proposals and city developments, stay tuned to our coverage.