Dharamsala MC to impose fee to curb roadside parking

The Dharamsala Municipal Corporation (MC) has decided to impose a parking fee on vehicles parked along roadsides in the city. Initially, the charges will apply to main roads but may later be extended to inner city areas.

According to sources, a parking fee of Rs 50 per hour will be levied to discourage people from parking along roadsides. Dharamsala MC Commissioner Zaffar Iqbal stated that despite the development of parking facilities under the Smart City Project, many people continue to park illegally on roads. Although the police issue challans, enforcement alone has not been effective in reducing congestion. Therefore, the MC has introduced the parking fee as a deterrent.

Iqbal further mentioned that the MC was also planning to impose user charges on residents parking outside their houses in inner city areas. In approved maps, property owners show designated parking spaces, but many later convert these into commercial areas, forcing vehicles onto the streets. The MC aims to discourage this practice by charging fees for roadside parking in inner city neighborhoods.

However, the decision has sparked criticism among citizens. Many have taken to social media to voice their opposition, arguing that the MC is penalising common people instead of taking action against property owners who illegally cover their parking areas.

Parking along roadsides has become a major issue in Dharamsala. Despite the availability of government parking facilities, many vehicle owners park on roads to avoid paying a Rs 30 parking fee. The problem is more severe in areas where malls and commercial complexes have converted parking spaces into shops, leaving visitors no choice but to park on roads.

Residents allege that instead of addressing violations by commercial property owners, the MC is burdening the public with additional charges. Many believe the authorities should first take action against those misusing parking areas before imposing fees on common residents.