SDMC frames new parking policy

NEW DELHI: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) formulated a new parking policy, which will perhaps be adopted by the entire city. This would be the first comprehensive parking policy for a city which would include as many as eight land-owning agencies. There would be strict fines and criminal proceedings against vehicle owners violating its provisions.

If implemented, the parking rates will shoot up in commercial and busy areas. As per the draft policy, the base parking fare will remain Rs 20 for the first hour but for subsequent hours the rate will double. If, presently, a person is paying a maximum of Rs 100 for parking their car for an entire day, they will soon have to pay as much as Rs 500. For busy areas, the cost may be even higher.

A senior SDMC official said that the policy has been drafted to discourage people from using private vehicles and shift to public transport under the city-wide decongestion plan.

An SDMC officer said, “The approach and model adopted by the SDMC is comprehensive and in complete adherence to the Transport Department’s vision in this regard. So, it has been requested to present it to representatives from other civic bodies at several workshops which will be held over the coming days.”

The proposal for implementing the policy will also be presented before other municipalities so that they can adjust the broader framework of the policy to suit their area requirements before being submitted to Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal for the final nod.

Apart from this, the SDMC has also proposed that higher rates will also be applicable during peak traffic hours. These rates are only being revised for surface parking lots. Parking charges for multi-level parking lots will remain the same, the officials said.

An SDMC official said, “We have also proposed that parking fee be implemented for residential parking areas, on a monthly basis. This has been a matter of contention among the resident welfare associations but we are trying to get an approval for this as well. This deter people from buying more cars.”