PMC elected members bat for free parking in malls

PUNE: Cutting across political lines, elected members of

Pune Municipal Corporation

(PMC) on Monday supported the move to stop paid parking at malls and multiplexes.


The general body of PMC gave a nod to the proposal of the

City Improvement Committee

(CIC), which barred malls and multiplexes from charging parking fees. The corporators said that the civic administration should study all the legal aspects of the matter and present a foolproof case in Bombay High court so that the citizens park for free in these establishments.

A private mall owner had challenged the CIC’s move to stop them from charging parking fees. The next hearing will take place on Tuesday.

“Many malls and multiplexes charge exorbitant parking fees. The customers go there to get the services offered by the operators of these business places. It is the duty of these business places to provide parking space to their consumers,” said the elected members.

They said that the civic body had tried to make parking free in malls earlier as well, but things could not be worked out due to legal technicalities. These hurdles should be cleared while implementing CIC’s latest decision. The PMC’s legal department should take steps accordingly, the corporators said.

The CIC had passed a resolution in June directing these establishments to allow visitors to park vehicles for free. PMC’s data says the city has 15 multiplexes and 40 shopping malls. Private contractors providing parking services in the malls charge fees ranging between Rs10 and Rs 20 per hour for four-wheelers, and Rs5-10 for the same duration for two-wheelers.

“The civic administration has given special facilities to these malls like offering discount in floor space index (FSI). The very intention of it was to make sure that they provide parking facility to their customers. It is expected that they should provide free parking. But if they are charging for it then it should be stopped,” said

Amol

Balwadkar, head of CIC.


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