Bhubaneswar: A day after Capital-based shopping malls refused to revoke parking charge collection, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) on Friday ordered to issue individual notices to the malls to refrain from charging parking fees from the visitors.
Additionally, the Saheed Nagar-based BMC Bhawani Mall was raided on Friday by a team of BDA authorities and two hand-held parking ticketing machines were seized. The said mall was issued an order yesterday.
BDA Vice-Chairman Prem Chandra Chaudhary apprised media on this development. He said, “After yesterday’s decision, individual orders have been issued to all the shopping malls including the BMC Bhawani Mall. Squads will do spot-checking and ensure that the new regulation is fully implemented.”
“The planning committee members will make sure that individual notices are sent to every shopping complex and further ensure that they have received them before any further action is taken. Enforcement activity will start in a day or two once this is confirmed.”
BDA Vice-Chairman concluded with: “We will ensure that off-street parking fee is not charged.”
On October 16, BDA had issued an order asking different establishments such as commercial buildings, shopping malls multiplexes, hospitals apartments, and housing projects to stop charging parking fees from visitors on the premises immediately and termed the practice “illegal.” The BDA also warned of stern action if the order was implemented.
However, a day later, OMMCOM NEWS found out that the shopping malls continue to levy parking charges for vehicles which are parked in the basements, and stated that they would continue with the practice.
