Delhi pollution woes prompt MCD to consider doubling parking fees to curb vehicle emissions

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Amid escalating pollution levels in Delhi and neighbouring cities, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is weighing the option to double parking fees as part of efforts to reduce vehicular emissions. The move comes in response to deteriorating air quality, exacerbated by stubble burning in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, coupled with local vehicle emissions.

A proposal to increase parking fees will be discussed at the upcoming MCD House meeting on November 14.

According to officials, the idea is to incentivize public transportation by making private vehicle use more costly. The measure aligns with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a framework set up to combat severe air pollution in the National Capital Region.

The MCD highlighted that the proposal to give the commissioner authority to raise parking fees by up to four times when GRAP II kicks in has been made multiple times in the past nine months. However, the implementation was delayed as the proposal required approval from elected representatives.

Additionally, the MCD previously suggested adjusting parking fees based on location and crowd density, but no action was taken. The proposal was sent back in September for further review, partly due to concerns over existing contractual obligations with parking lot operators. The MCD noted that abrupt changes in fee structures could lead to legal disputes, as most parking lots operate under fixed-term agreements with contractors.

During last year’s winter pollution spike, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) had doubled parking fees temporarily. However, an NDMC official observed that the increased fees did little to reduce demand, especially during the festive season, signalling the need for more comprehensive measures to tackle pollution.

With pollution control measures becoming a priority, the decision on parking fee hikes is expected to be closely watched as the city braces for another challenging winter.