Should shoppers pay to enter a shopping mall? A decision by an Ahmedabad mall to charge Rs 20 to visitors on a public holiday has triggered a debate on the pros and cons of such an entry fee.

Ahmedabad’s Himalaya Mall justified its entry fee with the need to regulate the flow of visitors into the mall amidst the surge in footfalls during festivals and public holidays.

Keeping their timing of the entry fee aside, is charging shoppers to enter a mall a good idea? I spoke to a few shoppers in one of Mumbai’s malls who seem to suggest that they were mildly in favour of such an entry fee on special occasions, especially since it would keep out ‘undesirable’ people.

“Yes, I think it is a good idea,” said a frequent mall visitor. “Holidays attract huge crowds to malls and it becomes difficult for genuine shoppers to shop. But I doubt if a Rs 20 charge will really keep the crowds at bay.”

A mall operator from High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel, also pointed out that charging an entry fee might not even be feasible. “Everyday, in addition to customers, we also get business people (vendors, suppliers, etc) and interview candidates,” said an official who works for one of Mumbai’s upmarket shopping destinations. “It becomes difficult to separate such business-related people and customers. In addition, making customers stamp a piece of paper on their way in and out is not possible.”

However, not all shoppers agree. “I think most malls already have basic screening facilities at every entry point,” says Shirley V, 41, a mall visitor. “All they need to do is add one extra staff member to collect cash and hand a receipt if required. I am in favour of an entry fee on special occasions because on holidays, most malls are hugely crowded and I don’t like visiting them. The crowds make me uncomfortable I prefer instead to visit on other days of the week.”

Malls of course, would like to attract shoppers since that increase chances of sales. However, if the number of shoppers surges sharply to the point where visitors start to feel like sardines in a can, the joy of shopping can disappear very quickly.

So will you pay to enter a mall on festival or religious days, I know I would.