Patiala residents being ‘fleeced’ for parking on roadside

Tribune News Service

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Patiala, April 16

Parking of vehicles on the roadside is costing residents dear in Patiala despite the fact that the Municipal Corporation has not allocated the space to contractors for the collection of parking fee.

The “contractor” on Bhera Road, adjacent to the AC market, is fleecing visitors by charging Rs30 per vehicle.

Vehicles parked on roadsides are being made to pay the parking fee. The sources from the Municipal Corporation alleged the “contractors” are functioning unabated in connivance with local leaders.

When The Tribune correspondent visited one of the sites, a fee collector asked for Rs30 for parking and handed over a slip.

Meanwhile, residents have already expressed dissent over fleecing after they were charged the same amount.

One of the visitor to such a spot wrote on Twitter: “In an expensive city like Chandigharh, parking costs Rs10 or Rs15, but in Patiala, the rate is Rs30 as levied by anonymous contractors. There is no company name, just a self-published slip printed with the help of political stakeholders.”

The MC sources said: “The parking scam is being run under cover provided by local leaders. The Municipal Corporation should take note of the issue.”

Municipal Commissioner Poonamdeep Kaur said: “The parking areas on roads come under the ambit of the MC, but we have not given any contract for the collection of the parking fee. I will look into the matter.”