Chandigarh: In a rare show of unanimity, councillors of the BJP, Congress and AAP on Wednesday shot down the municipal corporation’s proposal to convert 213 free parking lots across Chandigarh into paid sites. The moment the agenda came up, members refused to even hear out the officials, insisting they would not impose any additional financial burden on residents.The MC had argued that the parking lots — spread across V-4 sector roads and market areas — were used by thousands of vehicles daily and could generate significant revenue if converted to paid parking. But councillors dismissed the plan outright.Municipal commissioner Amit Kumar urged the House to at least approve a pilot project, calling it crucial for revenue generation. He also asked the members to defer the agenda instead of rejecting it. The House remained firm, and the mayor eventually announced its rejection.With MC elections due in December and the current term ending in 2026, none of the parties were willing to back a move that could anger voters.At present, 74 parking lots in the city operate as paid sites under the one-pass system, with rates fixed at Rs 500 for four-wheelers and Rs 250 for two-wheelers. The MC has sold over 3,000 passes so far.
