The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) is set to launch a citywide monthly parking pass, allowing commuters to park in any paid parking lot across the city with a single pass. The pass will be priced at Rs 500 per month for cars and Rs 250 for two-wheelers, aiming to simplify parking and boost municipal revenue.
Currently, the MC manages a total of 89 paid parking lots, covering approximately 5.22 lakh square meters and accommodating around 16,030 cars. However, only 73 of these lots are actively operated, while the remaining 16 remain free due to staff shortages, resulting in significant revenue losses for the corporation.
The new ‘One City-One Pass’ system seeks to address this issue by providing unlimited access to all paid parking areas with a single pass.
The initiative is being implemented under a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), following the 'Design, Build and Operate' (DBO) model. NHAI, known for issuing annual toll passes on national highways, will be responsible for overseeing the parking system, ensuring streamlined operations across the city.
While the corporation initially proposed an annual pass costing Rs 6,000, officials from the Union Territory administration deemed the price excessive, leading to revisions in consultation with NHAI.
At present, parking fees in Chandigarh are uniform: Rs 14 for car parking and Rs 7 for two-wheelers throughout the day.
Corporation officials stated that if a large number of commuters adopt the monthly pass, there would be no need to increase the hourly parking rates. Consequently, the Request for Proposal (RFP) for smart parking, which had proposed higher hourly rates, will not be tabled for now.
Officials say the move will benefit regular commuters, reduce congestion caused by searching for parking, and ensure better management of parking lots.
"With the new system, we hope to recover lost revenue and provide a more convenient parking experience for residents and visitors alike", said MC officials.