The parking lot near Bali yatra ground on the bank of river Mahanadi. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Nov. 29: The sharp hike in parking fees has put off visitors to Bali yatra here.

The fees have risen by anything between Rs 10 and Rs 20 as compared to last year at various parking lots.

One has to pay Rs 30 for a two-wheeler and Rs 50-60 for a four-wheeler at the parking lots that have been auctioned by the district administration to private individuals.

“It is not possible for everybody to pay Rs 30 for parking a two-wheeler. It was Rs 20 last year,” said Biswajit Sahu, a businessman from Darghabazar.

The district administration has collected revenue of Rs 10 lakh from the auction of six parking lots for Bali yatra. However, because of no clear fare policy, the parking-lot owners demand whatever fee they want.

Sources said each of the parking lots were generating around Rs 15,000 revenue a day and this number is likely to cross Rs 1 lakh by the end of the weeklong festival.

District administration officials said according to guidelines, parking lot owners cannot charge beyond Rs 3 for bicycles, Rs 15 for motorcycles, Rs 20 for two-wheelers and Rs 30 for four-wheelers.

“There are guidelines and parking lot owners cannot charge exorbitant prices. The rates have already been fixed by the district administration. We have come across such irregularities and have informed the local police station. They will take necessary action,” said Cuttack sadar tehsildar Subhananda Mohapatra.