Cuttack, April 21: The municipal corporation has invited bids for 21 parking lots across the city.

However, due to the controversy over the paid parking system, bids have not been invited for the Naya Sarak parking lot.

A final decision regarding implementation of the paid parking system would be taken at the next traffic management committee meeting.

Traders both at Balu Bazaar and Naya Sarak had staged demonstrations and observed shutdown in protest against implementation of the paid parking system on hourly basis.

Official sources said the Cuttack Municipal Corporation had fixed a highest reserve price of Rs 1.76 lakh for the Khannagar parking lot, Rs 1.34 lakh for the taxi stand at Badambadi and Rs 1.28 lakh for the parking lot near Collectorate.

The civic body is expecting higher bids from these three parking lots due to flow of traffic. The reserve price for remaining 18 parking lots ranges between Rs 6,000 and Rs 50,000. The civic body has targeted to generate additional revenue of nearly 20 to 30 per cent from the auction of the parking lots.

"We expect to generate revenue of Rs 20 lakh to Rs 22 lakh against the total collection from the parking lots - that stood nearly Rs 15 lakh last year," said municipal commissioner Gyana Das.

The auction move has elicited mixed reaction, as many residents are demanding better facilities and discipline at the parking lots.

"The civic body should ensure that the extra revenue generated from the auction of parking lots is utilised for construction of new parking spaces and development of infrastructure at the existing ones, which lack proper lighting and security arrangements," said Dolmundai resident Subhranshu Das.

Many commuters feel that safety of vehicles, organised parking and fixation of time are required at the parking lots.

"A lot of operators are not displaying rates and also charging more than the fixed price. Besides, a four-wheeler owner should be allowed to park a car for not more that three hours at a single parking lot," said Nimchouri resident Kishore Agarwal.

The corporation officials, on the other hand, claimed that special measures would be taken to check incidents of harassment of people at various parking lots by operators.

The civic body will shortly enter into agreement with the highest bidders, and the operators would charge money according to the fixed rates. Besides, the employees to be engaged for managing the parking lots will have to wear uniform and identity cards.