Chandigarh, Jan 23: Chandigarh Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla announced the launch of a universal monthly parking pass for city residents starting January 27. The new pass system is designed to provide unlimited entries and exits across all paid parking lots in the city, priced at Rs 500 for four-wheelers and Rs 250 for two-wheelers.
Addressing a press conference to mark the completion of her one-year tenure, the Mayor noted that the Municipal Corporation has successfully moved past a severe financial crisis. She mentioned that when she took charge last January, the civic body was struggling to meet basic obligations, including the payment of employee salaries.
The financial recovery was aided by a Rs 125 crore grant sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs following a request to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Mayor said this support, received under the guidance of Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, has been instrumental in strengthening urban services and infrastructure across Chandigarh.
Significant progress has been reported in basic amenities, with the replacement of corroded water supply and sewerage pipelines largely completed. The Mayor mentioned that remaining works worth Rs 25 crore would be finished soon. Additionally, half of a Rs 40 crore road-upgradation project for internal V-4, V-5, and V-6 roads has been concluded, while the administration’s handling of V-3 roads saved the civic body Rs 45 crore.
Environmental initiatives were also a focus of the briefing. The Mayor noted that 95 per cent of waste has been cleared from the Dadu Majra dumping ground and land demarcation for a new Compressed Biogas plant was finalized on January 19. She also pointed out that major events like the Rose Festival and Chrysanthemum Show were organized at zero expenditure to the corporation.
Revenue generation remains a priority, with the city expecting roughly Rs 54 crore from advertising on unipoles, toilet blocks, and roundabouts. The Mayor also mentioned that a scheme allowing vendors to pay outstanding license fees in installments has already recovered Rs 2.50 crore.
When discussing the coordination required to secure central funding, the Mayor noted a lack of involvement from the local Member of Parliament.
“I received no support from the local Member of Parliament in securing the funds, and his presence in the house was also absent,” she said.
