@By Praveen Dwivedi
After a steep hike in Delhi metro fares, now be prepared to shell out more for parking your vehicles at metro’s parking lots too. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to increase parking charges by Rs. 2 to Rs. 20 across different slabs. As per sources, the new charges would be implemented from May 1.
Those parking their cars at Delhi metro’s parking lots will now have to pay Rs. 30 instead of Rs. 20 for up to six hours. Those parking their cars for beyond six hours and up to 12 hours will have to pay Rs. 50 instead of Rs. 30 and those parking beyond 12 hours will have to pay Rs. 60 instead of Rs 40. Night charges for parking between midnight to 5 am have been increased from Rs. 40 to Rs. 60.
Further, DMRC has increased monthly parking charges for cars from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,200 and users would have to pay double this amount if they are parking at night also.
Similarly, parking charges for two-wheelers have been hiked from Rs. 10 to Rs. 15 for parking up to first six hours. Those parking up to twelve hours will have to pay Rs. 25 instead of Rs. 15 and those who park beyond 12 hours will have to pay Rs 30 instead of Rs. 20.
Monthly charges for parking two-wheelers too have been increased from Rs. 475 to Rs. 600. The night charges have been increased from Rs. 20 to Rs. 30.
A senior official talking to City Spidey on phone confirmed the report saying, “New parking charges are likely to be implemented from May 1.”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal strongly criticised the hike in parking charges by DMRC. He said that the latest move, along with the recent fare increase, will completely kill Delhi Metro. He further added that it will also lead to increase in congestion and pollution on the roads.
On the other hand, those parking their vehicles at parking lots run by DMRC have expressed their displeasure regarding the move. Ragini Malhotra, a resident of East Delhi, talking to City Spidey said, “Its really shocking to know that parking charges have been increased. I park my car on each working day for more than eight hours and take the metro to reach my office in Dwaraka. First, the metro fare was increased and now parking charges too have been hiked. How much financial burden will we have to bear within a short period of time?”
People in the national capital will have to certainly spend more on modes of transportation in the upcoming days. City Spidey had reported a couple of days ago that the Delhi government has agreed to hike the auto-rickshaw fares soon.
Dilip Sharma, a resident of Pandav Nagar in East Delhi who regularly parks his car at Akshardham metro station said, “The way charges are being increased for all modes of transportation- whether it is the metro, DTC or auto-rickshaw, its becoming very difficult to survive in this city.”
