Civic body to cancel parking contracts

LUDHIANA: After hue and cry was raised by the city residents regarding excessive fee being charged at various parking lots of Ferozepur Road, the authorities have finally decided to cancel the contract of the parking lots in a day or two.
Besides charging the residents with more than the fixed rates, misbehavior with the visitors was another reason that invited the attention of the authorities to the situation."There were many complaints regarding overcharging by the contractors and non-adherence of the norms despite a number of notices has resulted in the cancellation of the contract," said Isha Kalia, additional commissioner.
Besides revision of rates for the parking lots, re-auction will also help keep a check on the fleecing practice by the contractors.
The revised rates by the high court had made the parking free for cycle owners, which was Rs 5 according to the present rates.
At the same time, the monthly pass fee which was Rs 3,000 has been revised to Rs 250 for the two-wheelers and Rs 500 for four-wheeler owners.
"The change in the rates has resulted in loss to the contractors, who themselves have requested for the cancellation of the contract. The re-auction will take place in a few days", said municipal commissioner Rahul Tewari.