As Meena Bazar does not have any parking facility, customers have to keep their vehicles on the pavement. For this illegal parking, TIs (Traffic Inspectors) or traffic sergeants fine them. The customers however, get the amount back from the Meena Bazar authorities on showing the fine receipt.

"The fine is fixed and the car owners are bound to pay despite possessing legal documents" said Kazi Jamil Islam, executive director of Meena Bazar. "We pay the penalty to the traffic police on behalf of our customers under our extra facilities programme," he added.

Usually vehicles are fined between Tk100 to Tk 200 by traffic sergeants. However, the amount may go up to Tk 500 if a TI is on the spot.

"Sometimes the fine increases if the owner of a car argues with the police," said a salesman at Meena Bazar.

Meena Bazar customers felt that other shopping malls should also offer such facilities as parking space in the city, especially at shopping centres, is not always available.

When asked why they did not arrange a parking facility or basement parking, Jamil said they could not provide the required area for car parking as space in the city was limited

Meena Bazar was established in November 1, 2002. It receives some 4,000 customers every day, said sources.