Anti-pollution measures: MCD parking lot fees go up

Parking fees in areas falling under the three municipal corporations have been quadrupled, starting today, following the order by the Lt Governor in view of the high-level of pollution in the city, officials said.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), which administers several upscale markets, including Khan Market, Sarojini Nagar Market, Central Market, however, in an order said the four-time hike, would be in place for a "week's time".

The North and East Delhi Municipal Corporations (NDMC and EDMC) also effected the hike as per the instructions from Lt Governor Anil Baijal.

"We have increased the parking fees till further order," a spokesperson for the NDMC said.

The NDMC runs 104 parking lots while the EDMC has over 40 under its jurisdiction.

The revised rates for cars are Rs 80 per hour and Rs 400 for 24 hours, according to the SDMC order.

"For two-wheelers, it would be Rs 40 per hour and Rs 200 hours," it said.

For the NDMC and EDMC, the revised fees for parking of cars would range from Rs 80 to Rs 800, the civic official said.

"For first one hour, it would be Rs 80, and for additional one hour, Rs 40. It would be hiked to Rs 200 from Rs 50 for five hours, Rs 400 from Rs 100 for 10 hours and Rs 800 from Rs 200 for 20 hours," he said.

The NDMC spokesperson said, contractors have been asked to execute the order.

"We really hope it would discourage people from using more private cars, one of the factors for environmental pollution," he said.

The civic bodies were initially dilly-dallying in executing the EPCA's orders.

However, yesterday they said they would be implementing the order, as it will discourage people from using private cars.

Baijal had directed that agencies such as the municipal corporations and the Delhi Metro should strictly enforce the decisions taken by the EPCA, including hiking parking fares by four times, in the wake of severe air pollution in the city.