Starting today, two-wheeler parking will no longer be free in Chandigarh, contradicting the announcement made by Mayor Anup Gupta as a Diwali gift. The decision awaits approval from Municipal Corporation Commissioner Anandita Mitra, stirring controversy surrounding the smart parking policy. The policy initially declared free parking for two-wheelers and electric vehicles, while proposing a double charge for vehicles registered in the Tri City, a stance contested by Haryana and Punjab. Chandigarh Administrator Banwari Lal Purohit has also expressed dissent.
In a recent Municipal Corporation meeting, a resolution was passed to offer free parking for two-wheelers and electric vehicles, despite objections from Administrator Banwari Lal Purohit. However, there has been no resolution or improvement regarding the new parking policy in subsequent Municipal Corporation meetings, leading to the commencement of free two-wheeler parking from today. Previously, two-wheelers were charged Rs 7 per entry in all Chandigarh parking lots.
The smart parking policy proposed by the Municipal Corporation included a provision to double the parking fees for vehicles from outside Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. During an Advisory Council meeting, Administrator Banwari Lal Purohit instructed the withdrawal of this proposal, but as of now, no formal proposal for withdrawal has been presented in the Municipal Corporation. Consequently, the decision to charge double fees remains unchanged.
The Municipal Corporation is actively working on a smart parking project, involving the installation of automatic boom barriers at the entry and exit points of parking lots. These barriers will operate automatically, scanning Fastag at approximately 89 parking spots. The Municipal Corporation has initiated the tender process for this project.
