BMC officials, using private vehicles and concealing their identities, conducted the operation at the parking site in Kala Ghoda. It was found that the contractor's representatives were charging Rs 150 per hour instead of the fixed Rs 70 for four-wheelers
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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has filed a police complaint against the staff of a parking contractor for overcharging motorists at a paid parking lot in Kala Ghoda. The civic body has also initiated the process to blacklist the contractor after the staff was found overcharging motorists during a string operation.
According to BMC officials, the contractor was appointed by the civic body to operate a pay-and-park facility for 100 four-wheelers and 45 two-wheelers near Jehangir Art Gallery and VB Gandhi Marg in Kala Ghoda, Fort. The prescribed fee is Rs 20 per hour for two-wheelers and Rs 70 for four-wheelers. However, the civic body received complaints that the contractor's representatives were charging more than the authorised rates, the officials added.
Following these complaints, a sting operation was planned. To verify this malpractice, BMC officials, using private vehicles and concealing their identities, conducted the operation at the parking site in Kala Ghoda. It was found that the contractor's representatives were charging Rs 150 per hour instead of the fixed Rs 70 for four-wheelers. Additionally, the staff also covered up the 'No Parking' signs installed by the BMC and used those areas too for parking the vehicles. It was also found that some of the employees were not wearing uniforms or carrying valid identification badges, the officials added.
The BMC's A Ward (comprising the areas of Fort, Nariman Point, Marine Drive, Navy Nagar, Cuffe Parade, Colaba and the Mumbai Port Trust areas) served a show-cause notice to the contractor on May 9. The firm was fined Rs 10,000 for charging more than the prescribed fees for parking, Rs 4,000 for parking in 'No Parking' zones and charging fees from motorists for it, and Rs 1,000 for operating without uniforms and proper identification. A written complaint has also been lodged by the BMC administration at the Mata Ramabai Marg Police Station in Fort against the contractor's representatives.
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