Bhubaneswar: The municipal corporation had in February decided to implement a system in which users could park their vehicles at multiple spots within the stipulated time by paying a single fee.

Accordingly, the corporation had divided the city into five zones and started a fresh auction drive of the parking lots with an aim to introduce the new system to the citizens from April 1.

However, the authorities failed to meet the deadline because since the civic body could not complete the auction of the parking lots on time.

The municipal corporation had increased the offset prices of the parking lots that led to the participation of less bidders. With few takers, the civic body also tried to do a spot auction but that did not work out, said a source.

"I have been running a parking lot on Janpath for three years now. This is how I earn my livelihood. I take part in the auction process every time the civic body issues a notice, but this time was different. They have increased the base price and it was difficult for me to take part," said a bidder who did not want to be named.

An official said the civic body was targeting a revenue collection of around Rs 5 crore from the parking service this fiscal compared to Rs 3.5 crore last year.

"Parking is one service where we collect good revenue. The prices were increased based on the demand," said a civic body official.

The civic body now owns 64 on-street and off-street parking lots in various parts of the city. For four hours, people now pay Re 1 for parking a bicycle, Rs 5 for two and three-wheelers. The rate for parking a four-wheeler for two hours is Rs 20.

The parking operators collect fees each time you park your vehicle in the parking lots. However, in the new system, the civic body had planned to collect the fee only once for using one zone, but within the stipulated timeframe. This also opposed by bidders fearing loss.

"The norms would benefit neither the citizens nor us. Once a vehicle is parked, it usually remains there for two or three hours. It is not possible for the users to go to another place and use another lot within the timeframe. This is a mere gimmick of the civic body to entice the people," said the bidder.

Speaking on the increased offset price of the parking lots, Bhubaneswa mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said: "The prices increased every year and this is not the first time. We had some problems in completing the auction bid but now it is on track. The new norms will come into place positively from July 1."