Now, paid parking in 3 Panchkula sectors

PANCHKULA: The municipal corporation (MC) on Saturday introduced paid parking in sectors 8, 9 and 10 as a pilot project.

“This is a test run and the proceeds will go to the District Red Cross Society. In the next week, a tender for the management of the parking lots will be floated. Most of the commercial areas will have paid parking facility. After three to four months, we will move to smart parking”, said Panchkula municipal corporation commissioner-cum-administrator Rajesh Jogpal.

He claimed chaos and mismanagement at the parking lots were the main reasons behind the decision, citing the Chandigarh model too. “After the acceptance of paid parking by people of Chandigarh, it was decided to introduce paid parking here too,” said the commissioner. However, Chandigarh residents have been protesting against the hiked rates, with the matter now in court.

Jogpal assured the parking lots would have all facilities like toilets, RO drinking water, and rain/sun shelters. “The rates will be same as those in Chandigarh. Panchkula people are already paying parking fee at Chandigarh,” he said.

However, local residents were not impressed with the sudden decision. Panchkula Citizens Welfare Association and other bodies opposed the decision, sending a letter to the commissioner and urban local bodies director to roll back the decision.

Citizens Welfare Association president S K Nayar said, “Without any notice or any discussion with residents or market welfare association, the MC officials started paid parking in a dictatorial manner.”