Chandigarh, May 1 -- In a discussion free of any roadblocks or opposition, the BJP-led House of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) on Wednesday breezily cleared a steep hike in parking charges across the city - a move that will pick speed only after the civic body implements its Smart Parking project with public-private partnership.

The proposal zipped through in the absence of councillors from opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who had already staged a walkout after accusing the BJP of burdening residents with back-to-back tax hikes - including the recent increase in property tax and electricity cess.

With no opposition in sight, the parking fee hike went through smoothly, landing another financial jolt on city resid...