Saswat Singhdeo

Bhubaneswar: Despite strict orders from Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) to different commercial establishments to stop collecting off-street parking fees on their premises, norms are being flouted in the name of facilitation fee.

During a reality check by OTV, it was found that BDA order is being flouted in prominent shopping malls like DN Regalia Mall, Forum Mart and Bhawani Mall.

When asked, a Regalia staff refuted the allegations and said that they were only charging facilitation fee.

“We are not charging for parking, it is just facilitation fee as we are giving facilities to people. There are people assigned for this work,” said the staff.

Similarly, an employee of Forum Mart said, “We are charging fee towards managing security. We have not received any notice regarding it. After getting the notice, we will stop charging the fee.”

“Even if, the parking charge amount is as low as Rs 10, it affects us,” said a Bhubaneswar resident.

Speaking on the facilitation fee charged at malls, BMC Commissioner said that strict action will be taken.

“Notices have been served to multiple establishments. They can’t charge anything for parking at their off-street parking places. Our squads have also started visiting such buildings,” said BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhury.

Later in the day, the enforcement team seized two parking fee collection machines at Bhawani Mall for collecting fees for off-street parking and a show-cause notice was also issued.

On Wednesday, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) had directed different establishments such as commercial buildings, shopping malls, multiplexes, hospitals, apartments and housing projects to refrain from collecting off-street parking fee on their premises with immediate effect.

scrollToTop