3 parking contracts to go

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 12

It is time for the contractors managing paid parking sites for the Municipal Corporation in the city to face the music. Amidst widespread complaints of overcharging and misbehaviour with those complaining against fleecing by the staff employed by the contractors, the MC has decided to cancel the contract for three paid parking sites, Feroze Gandhi Market, Bhadaur House and Mall Road.

Confirming the penal action proposed to be taken against the contractors, MC officials said complaints by members of public and several NGOs about overcharging by parking contractors were found to be correct during surprise checks conducted by senior MC officials. The allegations of misbehavior by the parking staff when pointed out about charging more parking fee than the stipulated rates by the MC, were also substantiated, said the officials.

There were complaints from people that not only the attendants at the parking sites overcharged visitors but also there were no mandatory boards with proper display of parking fee rates. Besides, torn/mutilated parking slips were given to visitors, CCTV cameras were not installed as directed and electronic ticketing system was not made functional at these parking sites.

It was officially stated that the recommendation for cancellation of parking contracts for three sites had been sent to the Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC) for its approval, which is a statutory requirement as final approval to the bids was also granted by this body. The MC had conducted an e-auction for four existing and seven new parking sites for a period of one year on August 20, 2018. 

In addition to four existing paid parking sites — Feroze Gandhi Market, Multi-level Parking near Mata Rani Chowk, Sarabha Nagar Main Market and Sarabha Nagar I Block market — parking sites were auctioned at Model Town Extension, Near Orient Cinema (BRS Nagar), Jagraon Bridge to Sherpur Chowk, Mall Road, Bhadaur House and area under Elevated Road, Verka Milk Plant to Octroi Post on Ferozepur Road and area under the Gill Road flyover.

The MC officials said strict vigil was being maintained on the working of other paid parking sites and those found violating the terms and conditions of the agreement or overcharging visitors would be sternly dealt with.