MC imposes Rs 40-lakh fine on firm for parking pact violations

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 21

Acting tough against parking operator Arya Toll Infra, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) today imposed a penalty of Rs 18 lakh on it for the violation the parking contract. Earlier this month, the MC had fined the firm to the tune of Rs 22 lakh for the violation of the contract.

With the recent penalty, the total amount to be realised from the company has reached Rs 40 lakh.

Notably, despite a hike in parking rates, the firm had failed to provide several facilities to commuters. More than 50 violations were during inspects by the MC recently.

Most notices to the firm were issued for failing to tackle haphazard parking in Sectors 7, 8, 17 and 34. During inspections by the MC, four-wheelers were seen parked in the lanes meant for two-wheelers. The absence of adequate manpower and CCTV cameras was also notices at parking lots. The firm had also failed to provide separate lanes for differently abled.

Sources said the drive against the violation of the parking contract had been intensified after an observation by the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the mismanagement at parking lots.

Maheshinder Singh Sidhu, a city councillor, said the MC should continue with the drive against the violations.