Greater Chennai Corporation Announces Free Parking Within Corporation Limits Until New Contract Finalized

The Greater Chennai Corporation has announced that parking within its jurisdiction will be free of charge temporarily until a new contract is finalized. The previous contract with Tamil Nadu Ex-Servicemen’s Corporation has ended, and the process to find a new contractor is underway. In the meantime, no individual or agency is authorized to collect parking fees, and complaints can be lodged at GCC's helpline 1913.

Chennai residents are set to enjoy free parking across the city streets, following the expiration of the Greater Chennai Corporation's (GCC) contract with Tamil Nadu Ex-Servicemen’s Corporation (Texco). The previous arrangement, which saw Texco managing and collecting parking fees, has been terminated due to widespread complaints of overcharging and corruption.

The GCC has announced that no parking fees will be collected citywide until a new contract is finalized. This decision comes after the civic body received numerous complaints regarding excessive charges and unprofessional behavior from Texco staff. For instance, residents reported being charged 30 per hour for a two-wheeler instead of the official 5 per hour, and staff refusing to issue receipts [1].

The GCC has also stated that it will adopt the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) parking policy in the future. CUMTA's pilot project for a sensor-based pavement parking model is currently being studied, which utilizes cameras to automatically read vehicle license plates and manage parking slots. The GCC aims to implement this model if it proves effective.

Residents are advised to not pay for parking and to contact the GCC helpline 1913 or raise issues via the civic body's social media handles if they encounter any attempts to collect fees. The GCC's decision to terminate the contract with Texco is part of its broader effort to combat corruption and ensure fair parking practices.

References:
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/dont-pay-for-parking-on-city-streets-from-today/articleshow/122800372.cms