Islamabad : The visitors to the New Blue Area have been taken by surprise with the sudden start of collection of parking fee by the Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI).
One of a few persons wearing unfirom inscribed with ' Municipal Corporation of Islamabad ' will stop a vehicle as soon as it enters the Service Road of the New Blue Area for collection of Rs100 parking fee.
The parking fee is being collected manually as a receipt is given to the driver on receiving Rs100 in cash.
“Rs100 imposed just to enter the new Blue Area with fuel prices are already crushing us and inflation refuses to slow down", one of visitor to the area said adding that it was not development rather it seems like yet another way to squeeze money from citizens.
He said that there is also no proper car parking as vehicles are parked in an empty plot. "There is no proper or secure car parking rather a Rs100 are being collected to enter the area,” he said.
A notification dated March 25 is also pasted on trees according to which the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) has started paid parking for vehicles at New Blue Area with immediate effect in order to manage traffic congestions and regulate parking.
The notification also says that due to large influx of visitors, particularly on weekends, indiscriminate and haphazard parking around the Blue Area. For the sake of public convenience, paid parking has initially been introduced for cars and motorbikes.
“The said arrangement has been initiated as an interim traffic management measure. However, if the competent authority so decides, the scope of paid parking may be extended to all categories of vehicles,” the notification signed by Director DMA said.
Director DMA, Dr. Anam Fatima when contacted on Whatsapp said that contract of the paid parking had been awarded but since contractor has not mobilized machinery own collection of DMA taking place.
She said that third party checks and daily deposits if exchequer is also ensured.
Asked whether there is any proper parking facility there, she said that CDA parking plot is available.
