Parking fee hiked in Madurai bus stands

Madurai: The Madurai Corporation has increased the parking fee for two-wheelers at Mattuthavani and Arapalayam bus stands’ parking space from Rs 6 at present to Rs 10 for every 12 hours, inclusive of GST. The new fee will come into effect after the new lessee takes over the parking space.
Similarly, the civic body has increased the entry fee for two-wheelers at the Mattuthavani vegetable market from Rs 6 to Rs 7.Officials said that it was initially proposed to increase the entry fee to Rs 10, however the commissioner has decided for a nominal increase of Rs 1 rupee as users would feel the pinch. An official from the revenue department said the increase was decided by the commissioner as private parking fees have soared. People running private parking spaces at Arapalayam have increased the fee already to Rs 10 for every 12 hours, he said.
The process to go for tender for various corporation facilities including parking, parks and shanties is underway.
Meanwhile, the increase in parking fee has evoked sharp responses from the users. They say that this is not the time to increase the fee as many have already been affected by Covid-19. They urged the civic body to increase the fee after some time, when things become normal. V Rajesh, a regular user said people who are using it rarely will not find it difficult because of the increase, but those who use it regularly and extensively, will be affected. “I used to go for money collection to various southern districts. I used to park at the terminal. At times I had to stay overnight. At a time when petrol price and prices of vehicle spares have increased, this will certainly pinch me,” he said. “The increase could be done from next year as normalcy would have returned. The Covid-19 has rendered many jobless for months together. People are starting to go to work only now. It will hit them however small the increase is,” J Selvakumar, another user from Anna Nagar said.