From now on, every time you take out your car or two-wheeler in East Delhi, be ready to shell out more for parking space.
The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has increased the parking charges four times in its area applicable from January 1. The charges have been increased on a temporary basis till the high levels of air pollution subside in the city.
As per the revised rate, parking for cars at all slots run by EDMC will now cost Rs 80 per hour against the earlier rate of Rs 20. Similarly, parking charges for two-wheelers now stand at Rs 40 per hour against Rs 10 earlier.
The decision is taken as a control measure to check the high levels of pollution in the city and deter people from taking out their vehicles on the road. According to the officials, the decision was taken following the directive from the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA).
Talking to City Spidey, a senior official said. “The charges have been increased only temporarily. We want people to avoid using personal vehicle and stick to public transport to help bring down the high pollution levels. The hike in charges will be rolled back once the pollution levels come down,” said an EDMC official.
The EDMC had issued directions to parking operators to implement the new charges in the last week of December. The measure, which is also known as differential parking rates, has been mandated under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
EDMC official said that they will soon start conducting surprise inspection. “Contractors have been directed to follow the directive strictly. They have been asked to keep a separate register to record the collection during this period and share the report with our officials during the inspections,” official added.
Meanwhile, the East Delhi residents welfare association (RWA), said that increasing the parking charges is not a long-term solution to check pollution levels. “Stringent measures are required to control the high pollution levels in Delhi. Increasing the parking charges alone won’t have the desired impact as there are many who can bear the cost easily.”
