Bhubaneswar: The civic body has taken steps to bring elaborate changes to its existing parking practice here with easy norms for citizens.

Part of the civic body's renewed plans is to divide the city into five parking zones and collection of a one-time parking fee for each zone, said a civic official.

The first zone contains 14 lots from Sishu Bhavan Square to Sriya Square, the second 13 from Sriya Square to Vani Vihar Square, the third zone of 18 lots will cover the southeast, while the 12 lots in the fourth zone will cover the southwest. The seven-lot fifth zone will cater to the north. Users, who now pay separately to park in individual lots, will be charged only once to park anywhere within a zone for the stipulated limit.

The fee varies from Re 1 for bicycles, and Rs 5 for two and three-wheelers for four hours. The fee to park four-wheelers is Rs 20 for two hours.

"Users will now pay a one-time fee for a single zone for a given time. If they exceed that limit, they will be charged accordingly," said the official.

"A fixed one-time fee is a great move. Operators charge each time we park even within 100m of the previous site. The civic body now has to implement it in spirit," said Saheed Nagar resident Nishit Mishra.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said: "We deliberated the new policy last month and decided to change our parking practice. The aim is to regulate parking and provide easy service to citizens. We planning to bring more quality in the services next."

Besides lenient norms, the civic body also aims to increase revenue by regulating the services in the city. It has also started a fresh drive to auction its 64 parking lots across the city. "We have put a notice in newspapers and on our website inviting bidders," said the official.

Sources said the civic body would earn about Rs 5 crore by auctioning the 64 lots.

However, some residents have raised concern about the implementation of the new policy. "The private operators often bully us. They look like goons and often arbitrarily collect fees. The civic body should prioritise this issue," said Kalinga Vihar resident Anita Mohanty.