Private malls and hospitals are still charging exorbitant parking fees even after the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) passed a resolution a month ago stating that malls and hospitals under the Corporation’s jurisdiction can no longer charge parking fees from individuals. According to the Corporation, when it passes building plans for malls, hospitals and other commercial establishments, the basement is not considered as a commercial area, as it is not included in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR), but later it is used as so.
SDMC officials said that they had issued notifications to private malls and hospital operators asking them to discontinue charging parking fees, but only some followed it. “Only a few have been following our orders and stopped charging parking fee, while the others are still going on charging high fees from people,” said an official in SDMC.
“After construction is complete in these establishments, the operators charge high rates for parking in their basements. They should either pay the Corporation or run it for free since it turns into a commercial space,” said an official.
Amid growing complaints of high fees being charged for use of parking facilities, SDMC had banned paid parking at around 75 malls and hospitals falling in its area. The decision to ban paid parking was taken during the Standing Committee meeting of the civic body. “The decision was taken in view of the complaints that private parking facilities at malls and hospitals charge high fees ranging between Rs 50-100,” said Radhe Shyam Sharma, Chairman of SDMC Standing Committee. Private parking operators at the hospitals and malls in the Municipal area will now have to allow free parking or take prior permission of SDMC for charging a fee, he added. There are 39 malls and 35 hospitals in the SDMC area that provide private parking facilities, a senior Municipal officer said.