NDMC doubles parking fees as Delhi’s air quality deteriorates to ‘very poor’

Delhi AQI: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has doubled the parking fee in the area under its jurisdiction, keeping in view the worsening air quality in the national capital.

The air quality in the city slipped to the “very poor” category, standing at 349 at 7:00 AM on Wednesday morning, with a dense smog blanket covering several parts of Delhi.

According to a senior NDMC official, four-wheeler parking for one hour has been hiked to Rs. 40, while earlier it was Rs. 20. The same norm stands for two-wheelers, as the parking fee now costs Rs 20 per hour instead of Rs 10.

However, the bus parking fee has also doubled, now costing Rs. 300 per hour, while earlier it was Rs. 150. Apart from this, the indoor parking fee has also been hiked by the municipal council, with an aim to curb the use of private vehicles in the area under its jurisdiction.

“The indoor car parking fee has also surged by 100 per cent, now costing Rs. 20 per hour, whereas when the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-II) is not implemented, the NDMC used to charge only Rs. 10 per hour,” he said, adding that the indoor bike parking fee is also hiked to Rs. 10 per hour instead of Rs. 5 per hour until the revocation of the GRAP-II in the city.

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According to the NDMC order dated October 22, “The Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, has notified the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi and NCR for implementation under different Air Quality Index categories.”

“Whereas the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas issued a statutory direction for the implementation of the revised schedule of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), available on the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), as and when orders under GRAP are invoked,” it read.

“The Sub-Committee constituted for invoking actions under the GRAP met on October 21, 2024, to comprehensively review the air quality situation in the region,” it stated.

The committee also examined forecasts for meteorological conditions and the air quality index (AQI) of Delhi provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM).

It observed that “the AQI has been hovering around 300,” noting that “at 4:00 pm, it has been recorded as 310.”

“The forecasts from IMD/IITM also indicate a likelihood of the AQI of Delhi to particularly remain in the ‘Very Poor’ category (DELHI AQI: 300-400) in the coming days, owing to unfavourable meteorological and climatic conditions and calm winds,” the order noted.

“In an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality, the Sub-Committee decided to implement all actions outlined under Stage II of the GRAP, which addresses ‘Very Poor’ Air Quality (with Delhi’s AQI ranging between 301-400),” the NDMC official stated.

He emphasised that these measures will be enacted “in right earnest by all the agencies concerned in the NCR,” in addition to the actions from Stage I that are already in force. This implementation is set to begin “from 8:00 AM on October 22 in the National Capital Region (NCR).”

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“Whereas an order has been issued, which contains provisions for enhancing vehicle parking fees to discourage private transport,” it said.

“Therefore, in compliance with the above and keeping in view the climatic conditions, the parking fees (off-road/indoor) have been enhanced to twice the existing fees for the parking managed by NDMC until the revocation of Stage II of the GRAP,” it stated.

“The enhancement of parking charges will not be implemented for the on-street parking sites and monthly pass holders,” the order further read.