Smart parking project: Limit number of free parking passes, remove vendors, demand contractors
The Municipal Corporation’s Smart Parking Project Committee today held a meeting with parking companies, local contractors and other stakeholders.
Representatives of the companies from Mumbai and Gujarat participated in the discussion. One Australian firm also attended the meeting. These companies manage parking facilities at IPL matches and big malls.
At the meeting, the contractors demanded capping of free passes as the practice significantly impacts revenue and undermines the system’s sustainability.
The companies and local contractors were invited by the MC for discussion on the preparation of the Request For Proposal (RFP) to be floated for smart parking.
The contractors recommended that boom barriers in smart parking areas be integrated with FASTag technology. FASTag-enabled barriers can automatically deduct packing fee from the user’s prepaid account, reducing the need for manual payment collection and eliminating delays. The automation will not only improve the operational efficiency but also enhance user convenience particularly during rush hours, they added.
Additionally, the integration of FASTag will help ensure transparency in revenue collection and reduce the scope of human error or malpractice.
The contractors also opposed stalls within parking premises. They said to maintain a safe, uncluttered and efficient parking environment, they proposed a complete prohibition on allowing vendors to operate from designated parking areas. The presence of vendors often leads to encroachments, littering, traffic hindrance and security concerns.
They also suggested dividing the parking into four to five zones. They said zoning can also help authorities monitor parking areas better and evaluate performance, as metrics and feedback can be zone-specific, making it easier to identify areas needing improvement.
Such a strategic division will also ensure better management and allow each zone to be assigned to a separate contractor. The decentralisation can prevent over-concentration of resources, streamline operations and increase efficiency, they added.
The contractors also demanded relaxation of experience criteria for bidding. Currently, the eligibility criteria for contractors are heavily focused on experience in toll management and similar sectors. However, Chandigarh does not have toll plazas, making such criteria less relevant in the local context.
Besides, the contractors demanded capping the number of free passes. They said it had been observed that unrestricted issuance of free passes significantly impacted revenue and undermined the system’s sustainability. Therefore, it is advisable to introduce a well-defined limit on the number of free passes allowed per contractor or zone, they added. The cap should be determined based on factors such as the total number of available parking spots, location-specific demand and operational cost estimates. The regulation would ensure that the parking system remains financially viable, while accommodating essential exemptions to government officials, emergency services or differently-abled individuals. A regulated system of free passes will promote fairness, reduce misuse and ensure that parking spaces are optimally utilised for genuine users.
Proper documentation and monitoring of issued passes can further help prevent fraudulent practices, they added.
It was proposed that a 15-minute parking fee exemption may be allowed to users. This will include private and commercial vehicles for pick and drop facilities. Presently, no vehicles are exempted from parking fee.
Saurabh Joshi, chairman of the committee said, they had received various suggestions. The MC will evaluate all suggestions for incorporation into the final RFP to ensure a transparent, efficient, and technologically advanced smart parking system for the city, he added.
Chandigarh