Mumbai: The BMC has taken punitive action against the agency managing a paid parking facility in the Kala Ghoda area for charging parking fees in excess of the officially approved rates. A police complaint has also been filed against the employees of the agency for illegally collecting parking fees. In addition, the process of blacklisting the agency has also been initiated.
The BMC had awarded a pay & park contract to a private agency M/s. Yuva Berojgar Seva Sahakari Sanstha for managing a facility near Jehangir Art Gallery and V. B. Gandhi Marg in the Kala Ghoda area under the BMC’s ‘A’ Ward. The parking facility accommodates a total of 100 four-wheelers and 45 two-wheelers.
As per the contract, the approved parking fee was set at Rs 20 per hour for two-wheelers and Rs 70 per hour for four-wheelers. However, the BMC received complaints alleging that employees of the agency were charging parking fees higher than the rates specified in the official contract.
"To verify the allegations of fraud by the concerned agency, a sting operation was conducted at the Kala Ghoda parking site. Officials and employees from other civic departments carried out the operation using private vehicles and appeared as regular citizens. During the sting, it was found that the agency’s representatives were charging Rs 150 per hour for four-wheelers more than double the officially approved rate of Rs 70 per hour. It was also observed that the agency had covered municipal 'No Parking' signs and was illegally using those areas for parking. The staff managing the site were not wearing uniforms or official identification badges, further violating the terms of the contract," said an official.
A show cause notice was issued to the agency on May 9, with a Rs 15,000 fine for overcharging, illegal parking in ‘No Parking’ zones, and staff failing to wear uniforms or ID badges. The BMC has also filed a police complaint at Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg Police Station and urged citizens to report overcharging at paid parking lots to the respective ward office.
