Parking Expensive at Malls

It has been found that malls and shopping complexes in Hyperabad, India lure visitors with exotic decorum and irresistable deals but most are charging exorbitant parking fees from visitors, despite it being mandatory to offer it for free.

Some of these malls include the MPM Mall, which houses Big Bazaar at Abids, Lifestyle store at Begumpet, Pavani Prestige Complex which accommodates Kalamandir showroom at Ameerpet or the recently launched GVK One mall at Banjara Hills. With nearly 500 cars parked a day, and a fee as high as R. 15 per vehicle, these fees add up to a small fortune.

To make matters worse, cars are parked at the “owner’s risk”. Mall owners refuse any responsibility, offering spaces that are not at all user friendly, despite their malls being as swank as they come. Passages leading to the lots are narrow with sharp curves. Some say only a seasoned driver can manoeuvre them.

The GHMC, the only authorised agency to collect any parking fee within its limits, appears unsympathetic with the plight of the common public on this issue, arguing that free parking encouraged abuse of the space.

Some malls, such as the Big Bazaar at Ameerpet, refund the parking fee collected from visitors on producing the purchase bills. This is a practice that others could well learn from.