Parking rates at malls leave people fuming

CHENNAI: Recently, when Kumar Sekar went to a movie at Express Avenue mall, he was expecting a pleasant experience. After paying 200 as premium parking fee, the price of two tickets, for three hours, the 31-year-old content writer was shocked. "Unfortunately, there is no regulation of parking fees at malls," said Kumar Sekar.Complaints are pouring in that the civic body has not taken steps to regulate parking fees at malls and multiplexes. Most malls, it is revealed, charge more during weekends and holidays. At Express Avenue, the premium parking fee for cars is 150 for the first three hours and Rs 50 for every additional hour on weekdays. During weekends, it is Rs 200 for the first three hours and Rs 70 for every additional hour. For two-wheelers, it is Rs 15 for the first hour and Rs 20 at weekends. In Spencer Plaza, it is Rs 20 for every hour for cars and for two-wheelers it is Rs 10 for two hours and Rs 5 for each additional hour. At Citi Centre, parking a car costs Rs 15 an hour on week days and Rs 20 an hour on weekends; for two-wheelers it is Rs 20 for two hours and Rs 10 per additional hour. At Ampa Skywalk, it is Rs 20 for cars on weekdays and Rs 10 per additional hour. It is Rs 25 on weekends and Rs 15 per additional hour. For two-wheelers it is Rs 15 on weekdays and Rs 10 per additional hour. Also, Rs 20 on weekends and Rs 15 per additional hour. This has created another problem. R Vasanthi of Pycrofts Road, close to Citi Centre, said: "Because of the huge parking fee in the mall, most shoppers parking vehicles on road-sides creating inconveniences for us." Daisy Joseph, a regular shopper, said: "Even if it is 1 hour 10 minutes, we are charged for two hours." Corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan said they were helpless as malls were private property: "As of now there are no norms prescribing the rates to be levied for parking at these places."