Provide free parking to visitors or we will take them over: SDMC

Almost a week after passing proposal of free parking facilities at the premises of over 75 malls, hospitals and hundreds of other commercial properties/complexes in South Delhi area, the SDMC has been mulling to takeover their parking lots. The Corporation, which has been sending notices individually to the property owners, said that despite issuing public notices, hefty parking fees are being charged by the operators of parking lots whereas, according to the agreement, they should provide free parking to visitors.

“To avoid chaos on roads, streets, markets and open spaces, we give relief in FAR of commercial properties under which the owner agrees to run free parking lots. Once construction finishes, the latter starts minting money through this. They do not even spare Corporation staff, councillors and other dignitaries. Now, we have decided to come down heavily on such violators so that we can ease chaos on roads and provide relief to the common man. Initially, we had served notices as a whole and now, we have been sending the same to every individual and more action will be witnessed in the coming days,” said Ashish Sood, Leader of the House in SDMC.

The decision to ban paid parking was taken at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the civic body earlier. 

“The decision was taken in view of the complaints that private parking facilities at malls and hospitals charge high fees, in the range of Rs 50-Rs 100, for parking of vehicles. Private parking operators at the hospitals and malls in the municipal areas will now have to allow free parking or take prior permission of the SDMC for charging a fee,” said Radhe Shyam Sharma, chairman of the Standing Committee. 

There are around 39 malls and 35 hospitals in the Corporation area that provide private parking facilities. Apart from this, there are over a hundred commercial complexes which also provide the same facility by charging fee from visitors.