MLA flags ‘illegal’ collection of parking fee from visitors at Chamundi Hills in Mysuru

Drawing the Mysuru district administration’s attention to the alleged illegal collection of parking fee from visitors at the foot of the Chamundi Hills, MLA for Krishnaraja T.S. Srivatsa has urged the authorities to immediately book a criminal case against the persons involved in the same.

Mr. Srivatsa told reporters in Mysuru that he came across some persons stopping vehicles of visitors near the Chamundi Hills and collecting a parking fee from them.

When inquired, the persons claimed that they had obtained a tender to collect parking fee from visitors keeping their vehicles at the foothills, and even shared yellow coloured tokens bearing ‘Chamundi Hills’ and ‘parking fee of ₹10’ for two wheelers.

However, Mr. Srivatsa said that he sought a clarification about the same from the Tahsildar of Mysuru taluk, as well as from the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) of the Chamundi Hills Gram Panchayat. When both the officials denied having issued any permission or tender to collect parking fee from vehicle owners at the foot of the Chamundi Hills, the MLA said he immediately contacted Krishnaraja police officials and asked them to gather information about the persons behind the collection of “illegal” parking fees and book a case against them.

A large number of people visit the Chamundi Hills during Ashada Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and this is being exploited by unscrupulous people to extort money, alleged Mr. Srivatsa.

Mr. Srivatsa also raised doubts over police officials of the city not having any information about this activity. “It cannot happen without the knowledge of the police because the persons collecting the parking fee stand near the barricades put up by the police,” the MLA alleged.

He said that he had also spoken to Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikant Reddy about the matter and demanded that a criminal case be booked against the persons involved.