Finally, Free Parking At Single Screens In Hyderabad!

He is already known that the multiplex screening facilities in Hyderabad had already imposed free car parking facilities. But the single screens in the city continued to enforce priced parking system.

In a major relief for moviegoers, the Telangana High Court has suspended Government Order 121, which earlier allowed single screen theatres in the state to collect parking fees from customers.

With this decision, people watching movies in single screen theatres will no longer have to pay for parking if they hold a valid movie ticket.

The order was issued after a petition was filed by a moviegoer who challenged the collection of parking charges at a theatre in Dilsukhnagar.

The petitioner argued that charging parking fees from customers violates existing rules that require commercial establishments to provide free parking to customers who show a valid bill or ticket.

Earlier, in 2021, the Telangana government had issued GO 121 permitting standalone theatres to charge parking fees. Under that rule, theatres were collecting around Rs 20 for two wheelers and Rs 30 for cars. Multiplexes and theatres located inside commercial complexes, however, were not allowed to charge such fees.

With the High Court now suspending this government order, single screen theatres will have to follow the same rule as multiplexes and malls, which provide free parking to customers with valid purchase receipts or movie tickets.

Legal experts say the court’s directive applies to all single screen theatres across Telangana and not just the theatre involved in the case. The ruling is expected to benefit thousands of moviegoers who visit theatres across the state every day.