Chandigarh car dealers question Sunday challans

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Dealers seek 7-day allotment, basic facilities and uniform enforcement

Chandigarh, September 21

Used-car dealers in Chandigarh have raised concerns over repeated challans at the authorized car bazaar on Sundays despite paying around Rs 5 lakh in weekly license fees, and have sought a permanent seven-day allotment of the designated site.

Talking to The North  News, Secretary of the Chandigarh Car Dealers Association S.K. Sood said that 56 authorised members operate at the designated site and collectively pay around Rs 2.5 crore annually. He questioned why dealers paying the prescribed license fee were being penalized for parking vehicles at the authorized location during the permitted period.

Sood further said dealers are allowed to park vehicles at the site between Saturday and Sunday under the existing arrangement, but alleged that enforcement teams issue challans on Sundays despite license fee payments. The association also alleged that unauthorized individuals and unverified dealers use the site from Monday to Saturday for parking and car sale-purchase activities without facing similar action. Sood said outsiders allegedly use the parking space by paying a nominal ₹14 parking fee, while licensed dealers face enforcement action.

The dealers have also raised concerns over the lack of basic facilities at the site, including drinking water and restrooms. They said they are not permitted to install temporary tents despite temperatures reaching around 40 degrees Celsius. The association has sought a permanent seven-day allotment of the site, along with basic facilities and clear written guidelines on parking and enforcement. It has also urged the Municipal Corporation to ensure uniform rules for authorized and unauthorized operators.

The disputed site is located on the left-hand side while entering Chandigarh from Panchkula, near the Kalka-side approach routes and opposite the main commercial blocks.

Sood said the association was willing to cooperate with the authorities but questioned the rationale of collecting license fees while issuing challans to vehicles parked under the authorized arrangement. He warned that failure to resolve the issue could lead to a prolonged struggle by the dealers.