CHENNAI: The parking rates at cinema halls across Tamil Nadu have been regulated and limited to a maximum of Rs 20. The government order was issued by Niranjan Mardi, additional secretary to the government on Tuesday. However, this pricing may not be applicable for malls that also have cinema halls.
The price has been standardised in all municipal corporation and special grades to Rs Rs 20 for car and three-wheelers and Rs 10 for two-wheeler; in other municipalities to Rs 15 and Rs 7; in town and village panchayats to Rs 5 and Rs 3 respectively. The parking is free for all cycles, the order said.
The government has regulated the pricing by amending the Tamil Nadu Cinemas (Regulation) Act 1955. This would mean that cinema halls cannot vary the price at their will or charge exorbitant rates for parking.
This reduction in rates may however not be applicable to malls. "The parking rate charged by malls will be regulated by them, not the cinema halls," said a representative of SPI Cinemas speaking to the New Indian Express.
The parking charges at certain malls can go up to Rs 150 for three hours even for two-wheelers. "While I'm happy that these prices are regulated, we often watch movies at malls and it's disappointing that malls will continue charging parking rates that are almost as high as the tickets," said A Asha, a cinema lover.