Malls Levy High Parking Charges But Provide Poor Services

For decades now, there has been no considered parking reform for the city. It is in private malls that personal modes of transport are dis-incentivised

- R. Sivaraman

All said and done, parking in the city continues to be a pain. Either there is no space available, or the ‘premium’ charges in private-public zones are exorbitant. Several thousands of customers who visit theatres and shops in the Chennai’s malls have found that they have to cough up very high parking charges, especially during weekends and other holidays. Besides, parking on the road, though rampant, is not safe and reduces the carriage way.

No parking reform

The root of the problem arises from the absence of proper parking reform for the metropolis’ roads in several decades. The Corporation’s long-promised multi-level parking solutions have not come up, barring the odd project, and the occupation by private establishments of public space — including footpaths and the spaces under flyovers — for parking have led to the current situation.

The State-fixed parking fee has been static for years now. City planners have long been advocating a parking fee revision, even commensurate to the real estate value of the areas where parking spaces are located, to dis-incentivise personal modes of transport and encourage walking and cycling.