MCD may hike parking charges

Thursday, 3 June, 2010


Delhiites might soon have to shell out more for parking in the city with the MCD proposing to hike parking charges.

According to MCD's leader of the house, Subhash Arya, while a final decision is yet to be taken, the civic agency is looking at the NDMC practice to divide areas into categories based on their location, congestion and other factors to fix the parking rate. Alternatively, it may introduce a uniform hiked rate.

''We will either have a uniform system throughout Delhi, under which we will charge Rs 10 for two hours and then Rs 10 for each additional hour — the system followed by NDMC in CP and other areas — or increase the rate uniformly for MCD parking sites only. Our aim is to ensure that the contractors do not fleece Delhiites,'' said Arya.

MCD had recently submitted an affidivit on its present parking policy in Delhi high court. The court had voiced its concern over the lack of uniformity in parking rates. ''We realised the need to revise our policy after the court hearing,'' said Arya. ''When Delhi government can charge so much as road tax without giving MCD a share in it, the civic agency can also hike the parking charges to augment its dwindling revenues.''

MCD's proposal has been supported by the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA). The Authority has been advocating a hike in parking rates for long to encourage the use of public transport and decongest Delhi.

''The parking charges should be increased so that private vehicles are discouraged on Delhi roads and congestion is checked. We are looking at implementing a parking policy on these lines very soon. The rates should be high enough to discourage private vehicles, especially in markets and congested areas. Also, under the MPD-2021, colonies have been divided in categories and rates can be fixed according to these categories, depending on population, location etc,'' said Bhure Lal, chairperson, EPCA.

The last revision of parking charges took place in 2007. For cars it's Rs 10 at MCD's 143 surface parking sites up to 10 hours and Rs 20 up to 24 hours. Two-wheelers are charged Rs 5 for 10 hours and Rs 10 for 24 hours.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/MCD-may-hike-parking-charges/articleshow/6000373.cms