Upgrade parking lots in Chandigarh to make them user-friendly

Deploy more staff at parking lots

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has approved 40 per cent hike in parking rates. Though it is not possible to enhance the parking areas immediately in the UT, the MC should ensure utilisation of available spaces in a best possible manner. This can be done be deputing persons at parking lots at the jewellers’ market in Sector 22. There is dire need to deploy good staff in Sector 8-C, opposite Kiran Cinema in Sector 22 and 35-C markets to ensure that vehicles are properly parked. This will help owners move out their vehicles easily. Besides, cars parked in neutral gear do not hinder outward movement of other vehicles.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Trained manpower to manage parking lots

As of now, parking lots in Chandigarh are just places of fund collection. With no basic infra, contractors depute illiterate employees with little knowledge of parking techniques. It should be mandatory for the contractor to deploy trained manpower to manage parking lots so that residents do not facing any issues while parking their vehicles.

RP Malhotra, Panchkula

User-friendly parking infrastructure

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation’s decision to increase parking rates without adequately improving parking facilities has raised concerns among residents. It’s essential for the MC to provide user-friendly parking infrastructure, ensuring that paid parking lots are well-maintained, secure and convenient for parking vehicles. A large TV screen must be installed at the entrance to show the full parking area. It will help car driver find a vacant slot and park his/her vehicle. Automatic ticket vending machines should be installed at the parking entrance.

Amar Jeet, Kharar

Fix parking infra before fee hike

Raising parking rates by up to 40 per cent without improving basic infrastructure is unfair to Chandigarh residents. Drivers often waste time and fuel circling parking just to find a vacant spot. Parking lots must have shady areas and optional vehicle cleaning services. Presently, many lots lack even basic facilities like lighting, signage and security. Instead of burdening residents, the MC should focus on upgrading infrastructure and offering smart parking solutions.

Aarti Rana Chauhan, Mohali

Hike in parking fee not justified

The increase in parking rates by the UT civic body is not justified. At present parking lots need many improvements. Staff at parking lots should help vehicle owners find vacant spot. On the parking lot slip, time of entry of vehicles should be printed. Space for parking two and four-wheelers should be demarcated. Vehicles parked at wrong places should be towed away. A mechanic should be deployed at parking lots to repair punctured wheels of vehicles. Shelters should be provided for drivers. Contractors must provide free drinking water at parking lots. FASTag payment system should be introduced in parking lots.

Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh

MC only wants to increase revenue

The Municipal Corporation (MC) is only concerned about increasing its revenue by hiking vehicle parking rates. The civic body doesn’t bother about improving parking facilities. Vehicles are parked haphazardly as no attendants are deployed to regulate parking in lots. Hike in parking fee is justified only if the MC can improve facilities at parking lots that include making it a smart parking space, installing sign boards at the entrance about available vacant spots and ensuring proper parking of vehicles.

Dr Harminder Singh, Chandigarh

Implement public, private partnership

To successfully address Chandigarh’s parking issues, the implementation of multi-level parking facilities — endorsed by the UT Administration — can be a game-changer. By implementing a public-private partnership (PPP) model, the city can encourage private developers to build and manage parking facilities on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis, with effective execution and maintenance. Integration with the Smart City Mission can also further improve these facilities through real-time occupancy monitoring and digital payment systems.

Jeevan Jyoti, Mohali

Construct multi-level parking lots in city

The decision to increase parking fee by 40 per cent by the House of the Municipal Corporation is not fair. Parking lots in Chandigarh do not have the required infrastructure. CCTV cameras must be installed at parking lots to cover any theft or damage to vehicles. Payment of fee for parking should be digital just like FASTag on highways. Multi-level/underground parking should be constructed keeping in view the increase in number of vehicles. Lastly, fee should be charged on hourly basis for parking done vehicles.

Col (retd) TBS Bedi, Mohali-1

Smart parking system is the key

A comprehensive and multi-faceted approach is essential to streamline parking facilities in Chandigarh. Implementing a smart parking system that provides real-time updates on space availability will significantly enhance efficiency. A mobile application should be developed to allow users book parking spaces in advance, access live availability and make digital payments. Integrating payment options with FASTag and QR codes will enable swift and contactless entry and exit. Unpaved parking areas must be upgraded with proper surfacing and shady trees should be planted. Furthermore, strengthening the public transport network will also ease the pressure on the parking infrastructure.

Brig Advitya Madan, Chandigarh

More Facilities can justify fee hike

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) must equip parking lots with essential facilities to justify the fee hike. The MC should implement smart parking systems with real-time availability updates via mobile apps to reduce congestion and save time. The civic body should provide well-lit and clean parking lots with CCTV surveillance and trained attendants to enhance safety, especially for women and seniors. Eco-friendly measures like EV charging stations and shady areas must be introduced in parking lots.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Strict penalty for illegal parking

Before hiking parking fees, the Municipal Corporation (MC) must ensure adequate facilities and well-maintained parking spaces. Charging residents without providing proper infrastructure is unjust. First, upgrade lots with proper lighting, security and clean restrooms to ensure safety and convenience. Second, implement smart parking systems with sensors and apps to reduce congestion and enhance efficiency. Third, designate separate zones for two-wheelers and four-wheelers to optimise space. Fourth, enforce strict penalties for illegal parking to prevent chaos and ensure compliance. Fifth, use parking revenue to improve public transport.

Amanjot Kaur, Mohali

Provide well-lit, secure parking lots

Charging premium rates for substandard parking is unacceptable. Before increasing parking fee, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) must guarantee well-lit, secure lots with clearly marked bays, efficient space management and functional amenities like digital payment options or even basic shelter. Link any future rate hike directly to demonstrable facility upgrades and maintained service levels, perhaps verified through public audits.

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Parking must reflect reputation of UT

Raising parking rates without addressing fundamental issues is like charging extra for a sinking boat without fixing leaks. Before demanding higher fee, the authorities must ensure proper demarcation of parking spots, efficient entry-exit systems and security measures that prevent theft and vandalism. A percentage of the revenue must be reinvested into better lighting, pedestrian pathways and real-time digital tracking of parking availability to minimise chaos. Strict penalties should be imposed on contractors failing to maintain cleanliness and usability. Chandigarh’s parking lots should reflect the city’s reputation for planned urban development.

Sahibpreet Singh, Mohali

Ensure adequate facilities for residents

Before increasing parking charges, the Municipal Corporation must ensure that adequate facilities and proper infrastructure are in place. Charging residents without providing basic amenities like security, lighting and organised parking spaces is unfair and undermines public trust. Paid parking should reflect the quality of service, ensuring safety, convenience and value for money for all users.

Gurpreet Kaur, Mohali

Structural overhaul is Need of the hour

Parking lots should serve as organised transit hubs, not chaotic cash traps. Before implementing a fee hike, a structural overhaul — installing shade structures to protect vehicles from extreme weather, integrating automated payment systems for seamless transactions and designating clear pedestrian pathways to ensure safety — is essential. The authorities must enforce a transparent accountability system for contractors, ensuring regular maintenance and customer grievance redressal mechanisms.

Sargunpreet Kaur, Mohali

Facilities will not improve in parking

The Municipal Corporation’s decision to increase parking charges will not discourage residents from using their private cars. Those, who can afford luxurious cars, will not mind paying hiked parking fee. Besides, facilities will not improve in parking lots by hiking fee. Most contractors and their staff do not have uniform and seldom help car driver negotiate his/her vehicle in and out of crowded parking lots.

Yash Khetarpal, Panchkula

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                                                                                    Issue At Hand

The manifold and unanticipated increase in vehicles has led to an acute parking problem in Chandigarh. With the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana now having the highest per capita ownership of motorised vehicles in the country, and a massive increase in daily floating traffic from the extensive urbanisation which has taken place around the otherwise well-planned city, Chandigarh today faces the very problems that the carefully designed original Plan was meant to avoid. There is a need for optimum utilisation of existing parking lots, besides renovation and proper management of the lots which are not being used at present. For long term parking, the use of underground parking should be mandated. Before revising charges, lots need to be upgraded to make them attractive and safe. State-of-the-art signage, intelligent display systems, lane marking, proper light and ventilation, proper maintenance, safety, security and valet parking will go a long way in ensuring that the system is smooth. To make the system people-friendly, traders and stakeholders should be taken on board for planning and management of parking lots

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                                                                    QUESTION for next week

All the private unaided schools, both minority and non-minority, are bound to serve the needy students from the economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups (DG) under the obligations of the land contracts as well as the Constitution, the UT Administration has ruled. What needs to be done to ensure quality and affordable education to children from humble backgrounds?

Suggestions in not more than 150 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com by Thursday (May 15)

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Promote use of public transport

Growing number of motor vehicles are adding to parking woes in Chandigarh. Parking facilities don’t come under the obligatory function of the local government, paving the way for an enhanced role of private players to develop parking amenities. They can charge for the same in return, providing mutual gains for consumers and service providers. Opening all vacant spaces in the city to the public will enhance parking amenities. Besides, promoting the use of public transportation will reduce dependency on private vehicles.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh

Introduce smart parking to fix loopholes

The Municipal Corporation’s proposed hike in parking rates is totally unjustified. Facilities in parking lots have not been improved. Instead of increasing fee, the existing facilities in parking lots should be revamped. Introducing a smart parking system in the city can augment revenue from existing parking lots. Booking of parking spaces with an extra fee can add to the civic body’s revenue. Linking payment system of parking lots with FASTag can remove loopholes.

Sunny Dhaliwal, Chandigarh

Explore smart parking solutions

While the Municipal Corporation (MC), Chandigarh, has approved new parking rates, persistent parking difficulties across the city raise valid concerns. Merely increasing fee without first addressing the core issue of inadequate parking infrastructure can be counterproductive. Higher charges may burden citizens without offering them any real improvement in convenience or accessibility. Ideally, the authorities should ensure availability of adequate parking spaces, multi-level parking complexes and better traffic management systems.

Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh

Manual Parking fee collection is outdated

Revamp Needed for Chandigarh’s Parking System

Chandigarh’s parking infrastructure demands urgent revamp. The current manual fee collection system is inefficient and outdated. Parking attendants often waste time asking for change and throw slips on road, creating unnecessary nuisance and litter. To bring order and efficiency, all parking slots in the city should be equipped with automated fee-charging systems and monitored by CCTV cameras.

Vijay Katyal, Panchkula

Think About Needs of senior citizens

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has hiked parking fee under the guise of smart parking. However, on the ground, senior citizens, people with disabilities and women face difficulties while parking and retrieving vehicles due to insufficient staff at parking lots. A 10 to 15 per cent fee hike may be justified, but improvements in parking infrastructure are also needed. Give contracts for managing parking lots to different contractors in order to foster competition. Implement smart parking systems in the City Beautiful.

Col (retd) Balbir Mathauda, Chandigarh

Focus on parking infrastructure

Yes, residents have raised concerns over the lack of proper facilities in parking lots, which continues to cause inconvenience to them. Before implementing fee hike, the Municipal Corporation must ensure that all parking lots are properly demarcated for vehicles, well maintained, equipped with necessary amenities, and have security, lighting and proper signage. Without such facilities, when residents are asked to pay higher fee, then it leads to frustration and reduces public trust in governance.

Anita K Tandon, Mundi Kharar

Fee hike has raised valid concerns

The recent decision by the House of the Municipal Corporation to increase parking rates by up to 40 per cent in Chandigarh has raised valid concerns among residents. While revenue generation and traffic regulation are important, it is only fair that such a hike be accompanied by improved infrastructure and services. Most parking lots in the city lack basic amenities such as proper lighting, security, clear markings and shelter. In many areas, uneven surfaces and poor management cause unnecessary hassle to vehicle owners.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Parking staff never guides drivers

Increment in parking charges by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) will not improve facilities for residents in lots. The staff of contractors only issue slips, but never guide drivers for parking their vehicles in lots. The parking staff never check slips after 10 pm at exit gates. This practice could lead to vehicle thefts. The MC should prepare a standard operating procedure for parking contractors and ensure its compliance with regular checks.

Wg Cdr (retd) JS Minhas, Mohali

Civic body keeps on burdening residents

Cash starved Municipal Corporation (MC) has approved 40 per cent hike in parking fee. The public is at loss. Residents pay all their taxes. Without extending facilities, the MC keeps on burdening residents with hike in charges on one pretext or the other. There are many avenues of raising funds by the MC like floating municipal bonds, using money provided by corporates and promoting tourism.

Dr Rajeev Kumar, Chandigarh

Pay attention towards requisite infra

Chandigarh can notoriously boast of having highest vehicle density versus population. It is obvious to face parking problems here in the City Beautiful. The Municipal Corporation (MC) may hike the parking fee, but before that the civic body must pay attention towards requisite infrastructure for the parking areas. It must reserve some space, preferably near entrance, for senior citizens and physical challenged persons. Areas should be marked properly and some staff should be employed to ensure proper parking of vehicles. Strange enough, it is printed on every parking slip, “Not responsible for theft of the vehicle”.

Sqn Ldr (retd) Manjit Johar, Chandigarh

Chandigarh