Smart parking: Chandigarh civic body again extends last date for tender bids

The Municipal Corporation (MC) has again extended the deadline for the submission of bids for its much-awaited Smart Parking project. The extension comes after private firms raised numerous queries regarding the proposal, particularly about the GST payments and other operational concerns.

Initially floated on August 1 this year, the tender deadline was first extended from August 23 to September 23, and now has been pushed further by another month to November 3.

An MC official stated that several private firms showed interest in the parking proposal, but raised questions that needed clarification. Once the concerns were addressed, the process of finalising the bidder would be started, he added. The Smart Parking project, aimed at modernising Chandigarh’s 89 parking lots, was initially proposed in August 2022. Two years later, it remains stalled at the tendering stage.

As per the proposal, the Smart Parking system will apply uniform rates across all parking facilities, regardless of vehicle registration. The first 20 minutes will be free for pick-and-drop services. However, after the first four hours, hourly rates will kick in to ensure efficient use of parking spaces. Current charges remain unchanged at Rs 7 for two-wheelers and Rs 14 for four-wheelers for the initial four hours.

To promote the use of underground parking, the MC will charge Rs 5 less for underground parking compared to surface parking. In a bid to encourage digital payments, a Rs 5 surcharge will be applied for cash payments.

Monthly parking passes will also be introduced, with prices set at Rs 300 for underground parking and Rs 400 for surface parking.

Since January 2023, after the contracts with the previous parking management firms expired, the MC has been managing the parking lots on its own.

Project was proposed in Aug 2022

• The Smart Parking project, aimed at modernising 89 parking lots in the city, was initially proposed in August 2022.
• Initially floated on August 1 this year, the tender deadline was first extended from August 23 to September 23, and now has been pushed further by another month to November 3.
• The project envisions a FASTag-enabled parking management system with a dedicated mobile app for booking slots, dynamic pricing, slot availability status, and a central control centre to monitor parking activities.