At parking lots, violations galore

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 9

Violations are galore at parking lots in the city as the firm managing these has failed to provide uniforms, helmets and nameplates to its staff. It has also failed to check haphazard parking and deploy its staff members at a distance of 50 meters from each other. Notably, the Municipal Corporation has fixed fine, varying from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000, for these violations. As per norms, the firm may lose its licence after the sixth violation.

During a visit to the Sector 22B market, it was found that employees did not have nameplates. In the Sector 22 market, vehicles were parked haphazardly. Though there were employees at the ticket counters, no attendant was seen managing the vehicles.

The Sector 35 market parking lots too had issues. “It took me 15 minutes to come out of the parking lot as vehicles were not parked properly due to a lack of space. They are only collecting money at counters and not bothered whether vehicles are parked or not. Even near counters, a long queue of cars was seen, leading to traffic chaos on the road dividing Sectors 22 and 17,” said Rajesh Sharma, a shopkeeper.

At most parking lots, attendants were not kept at the distance of 50 meters from each other. Baring a few in the sector 17 market, attendants were not seen managing vehicles.

Commenting on it, Senior Deputy Mayor Rajesh Gupta said, “If there is any discrepancy on part of the company, we will take action in that regard,” he said.

Nominated councillor Charanjiv Singh said they would survey the parking lots to see whether all facilities were being provided at parking lots as per the tender. He assured to raise the issue in the next General House of the MC. Charanjiv is also the chairman of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, who had opposed the hike in the parking fee.

Penalty

• As per conditions, non-wearing of uniform, nameplate and misbehaviour by a parking employee will attract fine from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000 for the first to the fifth violation. In case of haphazard or unauthorised parking, 10 times of the parking fee has to be paid by the company.
• Overcharging, non-issue of e-slip or running any other commercial activity may attract fine from Rs 1,000 to 10,000. After the sixth violation, the licence of the contractor will stand cancelled.         
• Moreover, unlike the previous practice, the company will be responsible for the theft or damage to parked vehicles at the parking lots.