JDA to increase Ram Niwas Bagh parking rates, traders protest

Jaipur: JDA is all set to increase rates for underground parking at Ram Niwas Bagh (Garden) in Jaipur. Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) will likely increase the monthly rates of four-wheeler’s parking passes from Rs 1300 to Rs 1500. The people who park their cars for 24-hrs in the basement of Ram Niwas Garden will be charged Rs 4000 per month.

Johari Bazaar jeweller body is protesting this decision. The traders’ association officials said the JDA should have discussed the matter with the traders before taking the decision. JDA is imposing arbitrary rates without providing facilities.

According to reports, JDA will issue a Ram Niwas Garden parking tender of Rs 3 crores for the next 5 years on August 25.

A JDA official argued that the parking rates have not been increased. The monthly pass rates which were Rs 1300 earlier will now cost Rs.1500.

“Some people park their cars in the basement for the whole day due to which regular traders suffer difficulties. The new rates are Rs 4000 per month for people who park their cars for 24 hours in the area. Our purpose is to facilitate parking for the traders who come daily. There is no increase in the rates for them.” He said.

On the other hand, a petition has been filed in the Rajasthan High Court. The double bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Judge GR Mulchandani is hearing the PIL filed by one Ghanshyam Agrawal.

The petitioner argued that the parking of vehicles was prohibited in the Walled City in 2013. JDA promised parking facility at the minimum fee for local residents’ vehicles and traders at Ram Niwas Bagh. The facility of free bus service was also promised for the traders. The JDA kept the promise for a few months and later withdrew these facilities.