KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- NDMC charges Rs 20 per hour for four-wheelers
- Rs 10 per hour for two-wheelers at surface parking sites
- Without valid Pollution Under Check certificates
In response to the escalating pollution, especially aggravated by the recent Diwali festivities and the additional impact of firecrackers, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has taken a significant step to address vehicle-related pollution. They have decided to double the current parking fees, both off-road and on-road, as a measure to discourage the use of private transport. This change applies to parking facilities managed by NDMC's own staff and will be in effect until January 31, 2024. The aim is to make it clearer and simpler for everyone to grasp, promoting awareness and understanding of the initiative.
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Delhi Doubles Parking Fees to Combat Pollution
To tackle pollution, Delhi's civic authorities have taken steps such as prohibiting the use of B53 petrol and BS4 diesel vehicles. Now, they are urging residents to minimize vehicle usage. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is implementing measures to discourage the regular use of cars and two-wheelers, including setting parking fees for these vehicles.
Currently, the NDMC applies a fee of Rs 20 per hour (capped at Rs 100 per day) for four-wheelers and Rs 10 per hour (up to Rs 50 per day) for two-wheelers at surface parking locations. Monthly rates for four-wheelers are fixed at Rs 2,000, while two-wheelers incur Rs 1,000. Similar pricing rules are followed at multilevel parking facilities and Palika underground parking, where Rs 10 covers up to four hours for four-wheelers and Rs 5 for two-wheelers during the same time frame.
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Presently, there are 91 parking sites overseen by the local authorities. Among these, 41 are directly operated by the civic body, while the remaining sites are entrusted to various external agencies. Notable among the bustling parking locations in Delhi are the vicinity stretching from Rajpath to AIIMS, Sarojini Nagar market, Khan Market, Lodhi Road, INA, AIIMS, and Safdarjung.
Stage four of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) prohibits the entry of BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel vehicles into the national capital. The Delhi Traffic Police is actively enforcing this regulation by cracking down on vehicles that do not possess valid Pollution Under Check (PUC) certificates. Despite the stringent guidelines of GRAP Stage 4, which include a substantial fine of 920,000 for violators, there are instances where certain vehicle categories on the restricted list continue to enter the city. According to Delhi Labour Minister Raaj Kumar Anand, there is an ongoing issue with diesel vehicles from outside the city entering, despite the existing ban on such vehicles.
Earlier, the Delhi government had to abandon its plans to reintroduce the Odd-Even rule, aimed at reducing private vehicle usage, due to a surge in Air Quality Index (AQI) levels following Diwali celebrations.
Verdict
Increasing parking fees is a crucial move in the fight against pollution, signaling a positive step forward. Yet, for a real and lasting change in Delhi's air quality, it's vital to keep it simple: enforce vehicle restrictions more strictly and boost public awareness. Easy actions can lead to a big impact!
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