Govt parking stands’ income drops

Parking fee in various areas of provincial capital being misappropriated

LAHORE:

The government's income from parking facilities in the city has decreased despite up to two-fold increase in the charges per vehicle during the past 12 years.

Although it is apprehended that millions of rupees charged as parking fee in various areas are being misappropriated but the officials concerned have not bothered to look into the matter.

According to sources, while the citizens are forced to pay the parking fees for their cars and motorcycles, the public exchequer is suffering losses.

A company was established in 2011 after taking over the vehicles parking system from the metropolitan corporation.

The objective of the move was to introduce a modern parking system in the city, where the assigned staff in uniform would manage the facility.

Under the plan, the vehicle parking charges were to vary as per the duration and demand during the time slot, an official said.

The parking rates are higher during specific times in major cities abroad, he added.

At the time of the launching of the company, there were 244 small and big parking stands operating legally in Lahore, where Rs5 was charged per motorcycle and Rs10 for cars. After paying the salary of its employees, the corporation was earning Rs67 million annually under the head.

The charges could be raised by about 10% per year.

However, the responsibility was handed over to the Lahore Parking Company in which a chairman, chief executive officer, deputy CEO and inspectors were appointed from the public as well as private sectors.

The parking fees were increased by 100 to 200% to Rs10 for a motorcycle and Rs30 for a car.

Currently, a motorcycle parking fee of Rs20 and car parking charges of Rs50 are being received at the official parking areas.

No effective action has been taken over the vehicle owners' complaints of overcharging.

On the other hand, while the city has spread considerably during the period, the number of official parking stands has decreased to 167 from 244 since the year 2011.

In addition, it is estimated that over 500 illegal parking areas are also being operated in Lahore.

Meanwhile, the income of the Lahore Parking Company has declined from Rs825,000 to about Rs600,000 per day.

On other hand, complaints of citizens regarding charged parking are on the rise.

The company has also failed to introduce a modern parking management system and the old manual .end are being used.

Occupation of additional lanes of roads for the parking also hampers the traffic flow in many areas.

Former CEO of Lahore Parking Company Sarfraz Hussain said as per the law, all the responsibilities of the parking stands in Lahore belong to the Metropolitan Corporation of Lahore.

The government created a parking company for the betterment of the people, but they could not get the results they wanted.

Responding to a question, he said if the Metropolitan Corporation was to run a parking stand, according to an estimate, its income would be more than Rs350 million per year.

The automated fare collection system was the only mean that could solve the difficulties faced by the Lahore Parking Company.

Municipal Secretary Dr Irshad Ahmed has instructed the company's personnel to use CCTV cameras to monitor the parking lots.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2023.