The Coimbatore Corporation parking facility on Cross Cut Road in Coimbatore on Friday.

| Photo Credit: SIVA SARAVANAN S

Alleging that motorists are being charged more than the prescribed tariff at Coimbatore Corporation parking facilities, Coimbatore Consumer Cause has urged the civic body to prevent such practices and refund the excess amount collected from an affected motorist.T. Srinivasan, a resident, said that at the Town Hall Corporation parking facility, motorists were issued only parking slips and no tariff board was displayed. At the Srinivasapuram parking facility on Cross Cut Road, the tariff board was displayed, but the portion indicating the duration applicable for the parking charges had been defaced, leaving only the amounts visible.“When motorists question the charges, the staff blame the previous contractor for the condition of the board. Even if that is true, the present contractor should have ensured that the tariff board was properly displayed. The Corporation, too, should verify that tariff boards at all its parking facilities are complete, legible and display the approved tariff,” he said.The consumer outfit, in its representation to the Corporation Commissioner, cited the case of Vinoth Vikas of Coimbatore, who parked his car at the Srinivasapuram parking facility on May 16. Though the car was parked for one hour and 51 minutes, he was allegedly charged ₹60.According to the complaint, when the motorist questioned the charge, the parking staff said the tariff displayed on the board had not been updated. The consumer outfit alleged that the defaced information enabled overcharging.The representation further alleged that excess collection of parking fees had become a recurring issue at Corporation parking lots. It claimed that despite highlighting such instances, the Corporation had only imposed fines on contractors while consumers continued to be overcharged.The outfit demanded that the Corporation refund the excess amount collected from the complainant, failing which it would initiate proceedings before the Consumer Court seeking a refund with interest and compensation. Published - July 03, 2026 06:54 pm IST