Borivali: Citizens complain that exorbitant rates are being charged for parking vehicles at the Prabodhankar Thackeray Theater here. Due to this, the pockets of the audience coming to watch the play are being cut and the theater audience is expressing displeasure about these expensive parking rates.
A contract is awarded by the Municipal Corporation for collection of parking charges. A tariff is called for from the Transport Department of the Municipal Corporation and the tariff is given in the tender. Parking is classified into three categories namely A, B and C. Parking rates vary for each category. As the parking lot of Prabodhankar Thackeray theater is covered, it falls under ‘A’ category. Category A parking rates are the highest among all the three categories. At present, since June 1, Aarti Enterprises has been awarded the contract for parking fee collection here and the fee collection is going on through them.
For two-wheelers, the rates are Rs 20 per hour, then Rs 50 for 1 to 3 hours, then Rs 70 for 3 to 6 hours, then Rs 85 for 6 to 12 hours, and Rs 100 for 12 to 17 hours. Whereas for four-wheelers, rates have been set at Rs 60 for 1 hour, Rs 75 for 3 hours, Rs 105 for 3 to 6 hours and Rs 180 for 6 to 12 hours. Audiences coming to theaters in their own vehicles have to pay these expensive parking charges and there is resentment against it.
‘A spectator who comes to a play with a two-wheeler does not come for an hour, he parks the two-wheeler for at least three hours. So he has to pay 50 rupees directly for the bike. 50 rupees for two wheeler parking at a time is outrageous. So for a four wheeler also one has to pay 75 rupees. The parking rates should be low for the audience coming to watch the play,” expressed the hope of an audience.