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 residents who are also reeling under the UT-approved rise in collector rates. Barely a month after scrapping its long-pending Smart Parking project, citing flawed tenders, MC brought a fresh proposal to the House. A committee has already finalised groundwork for a revised Request for Proposal (RFP), with the new parking rates included. As per the plan, the first 15 minutes will be free across 87 parking lots of the city - a move aimed to encourage quick departure of short-stay visitors. This will facilitate faster circulation of vehicles and optimum utilisation of parking space. Thereon, four-wheelers will be charged Rs.20 for up to four hours of parking - a sharp increase from the existing Rs.14 - while two-wheelers will pay Rs.10 instead of Rs.7 (see box for detailed rate chart). A special rate of Rs.85 for the first four hours has been proposed for the parking lots near Elante Mall, Fun Republic and Piccadily Square, making parking there most expensive. Meanwhile, electric vehicles (both two-wheelers and four-wheelers) have been promised free parking - until March 31, 2027. Parking in underground facilities has been incentivised by charging Rs.5 less than the surface parking rates, across all slabs. Also, to encourage the use of digital payments, MC will charge Rs.5 extra in case of cash payments. Interestingly, the new parking rates will apply uniformly across the city - irrespective of whether the parking lots are operated directly by the MC or leased out to private contractors via e-tendering. As envisaged in the original plan, FASTag-enabled parking management system will remain a major feature of the Smart Parking project, allowing swift entry and exit through automatic payment. For visitors' convenience, the new parking system will also include a mobile app for booking parking slots, separate parking for two-wheelers, proper demarcated parking slots, dynamic pricing and parking availability status, to be managed by a central control centre. BJP councillor Saurabh Joshi said, "MC is facing huge revenue loss as the parking lots are encroached upon by commercial vehicles, which are selling food and other products. Vendors station their vehicles inside lots, and due to police and enforcement staff nexus, they face no penalties. No private firm will agree to smart management unless these lots are freed from such misuse." Meanwhile, the BJP councillors also approved free parking passes for councillors, media personnel, mayor, member Parliament, UT administration officers of secretary and HoD level, high court judges and registrars. MC House clears tax hike for govt properties too P2...