Rs 750 for parking vehicle! Rampant overcharging in Gandhi Park, Corporation to tighten rules

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Not just in Attukal, the overcharging of parking fees is widespread across the capital city. The corporation mayor clarified in a press conference that the current parking collection at Gandhi Park is illegal and the contractor is doing so without any authority. The mayor showed proof of a receipt of Rs 750 collected at Gandhi Park from the buses that arrived for Attukal Pongala.

More complaints were received after Mayor VV Rajesh personally visited Iranimuttom and the SMV School premises and took action. Deputy Mayor Asha Nath received a complaint over the phone about a similar issue occurring in the Eanchakkal area. The mayor said that strong action will be taken against such centres and the operators will be brought before the law.

“Gandhi Park is owned by the corporation. The parking contract was given to Radhakrishnan, a native of Manacaud. The corporation's Finance Standing Committee gave him a notice in 2023 for not complying with the contracts. His contract was cancelled in 2023 for not paying the third instalment of the contract to the corporation. The same person and his employees are still collecting money from the spot. This came to light when we checked based on the complaint received the other day. A complaint was filed with the City Police Commissioner demanding that a case be filed against him and that he be removed from Gandhi Park.” The mayor said that the corporation will now implement a temporary system.

Mayor V.V. Rajesh clarified that the contracts for parking and various buildings given by the corporation in the past will be examined.

Parking centres can only operate in compliance with the High Court's norms. Whether the buildings have been handed over by the contractors and whether political parties' offices are operating in commercial buildings will be examined. In many cases, contracts do not exist.