Chandigarh: The municipal corporation is exploring the possibility of partnering with market welfare associations to operate paid parking lots across the city. Following the civic body’s interest in handing over some commercial parking lots to respective market associations for management, MC officials and MWA representatives recently held a meeting to discuss the proposal and its modalities.According to sources, the financial viability of the arrangement emerged as a key issue during the discussions.“Since the financial aspect is the key in this entire exercise, it is one of the most important issues in the discussions between the MC and market welfare associations. The civic body is keen on giving some parking lots to the associations to run, but the running cost is a major challenge for them if the MC does not allow them to charge the public. These include some commercial parking lots that recently became financially unviable for the authority and were subsequently made free for the public,” sources told TOI.The move comes as the MC continues to look for alternatives to manage parking facilities that are no longer generating sufficient revenue. The discussions are still at a preliminary stage, with several crucial aspects yet to be worked out.When contacted, Sanjeev Chadha, president of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal (CBM), the umbrella body of the city’s market welfare associations and traders’ organisations, confirmed that initial talks had taken place.“We held initial discussions with the MC’s senior officials regarding giving parking lots in some commercial areas to the MWAs for management, and some associations have shown interest. However, many key elements, including financial aspects, terms and conditions, and operational modalities, are yet to be discussed comprehensively and finalised,” Chadha told TOI.A few prominent market associations are already managing parking facilities in their respective sectors. Sector 22 and Sector 19 market associations are often cited as examples of effective parking management. Both associations operate and maintain parking areas without charging visitors, meeting expenses related to manpower and security through contributions collected from shop owners.
