Free parking means different things for users across North Delhi, as the civic body has failed to keep some of the sites free of charge while at others the lack of regulations has led to chaos.
The North Delhi Municipal Corporation had declared 19 parking lots under its jurisdiction free of charge in August after the contracts had been cancelled because of delayed payments and inability to meet the contracts provisions.
Earlier this week, the civic body announced that the number of free parking sites had gone up to 40. Mayor Yogender Chandolia admitted that there was something wrong with the North Corporation’s handling of its parking sites.
“Our officers and the parking mafia are hand in glove. The tender process for the parking sites has been delayed intentionally,” said Mr. Chandolia.
Leader of the Opposition Mukesh Goel said most of these free sites were not really free of charge. “People are getting fleeced by the parking mafia. The BJP leadership cannot get away with blaming the officers as this is happening under its watch,” said Mr. Goel.
While at some of these sites information boards make it clear that parking is free of cost, at others parking charges are displayed prominently. At Ajmal Khan Road-II in the Karol Bagh zone, there is a board that makes it clear that the road is a ‘free parking zone’. South Extension resident Kulbir visited the busy market on Friday afternoon. “No one asked me for money to park or give a receipt, but the situation here is a mess,” he said, pointing to the double-parked road.
In the bustling City Zone, a free parking site opposite Delite Cinema on Asaf Ali Road saw users being charged. There was no information board declaring the site free of charge.
Paramjeet, a taxi driver, who parked his vehicle at the site, said the attendants claimed they could not give receipts but would be able to fit the car onto the packed sidewalk.
In a blatant violation, the attendants were collecting money that would not end up reaching the corporation. “The money is going from the people’s pockets straight into the hands of the parking mafia, while the North Corporation continues to lose revenue as the site stands cancelled,” said Mr. Goel.
However, at some sites the North Corporation has been able to enforce the rule. For instance, the parking outside the Videocon Tower in Jhandewalan is free of charge but without attendants the road has become a free for all. This condition will continue till the tender process for the sites is completed and new contractors brought in.
