Delhi Pollution: New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has doubled parking fees in its jurisdiction as part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising air pollution levels in the national capital.
With air quality reaching alarming levels in Delhi, the NDMC aims to discourage the use of private vehicles, urging people to opt for sustainable transportation alternatives.
In the NDMC area, which encompasses a total of 91 parking spaces, 41 are managed directly by the NDMC, while maintenance for the others has been outsourced to various agencies.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has decided to double parking fees in its jurisdiction, specifically in areas ranging from Rajpath to AIIMS, covering prominent locations such as Sarojini Nagar Market, Khan Market, Lodhi Road, INA, and Safdarjung.
These areas experience higher levels of vehicular noise. According to an official notification, parking fees at these managed locations within the NDMC domain will be doubled until January 31, 2024.
This move aims to discourage private vehicle usage and promote environmentally friendly transportation options, considering the prevailing weather conditions.
In adherence to the guidelines laid out in the fourth phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in response to the escalating pollution levels in Delhi, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has revised its parking charges.
Presently, the parking fees for four-wheeled vehicles stand at Rs. 20 per hour, with a maximum daily charge of Rs. 100. For two-wheeled vehicles, the hourly rate is Rs. 10, and the maximum daily charge is Rs. 50.
As per the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there has been a rapid increase in air pollution levels across cities nationwide on the day following Diwali.
In Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, the Air Quality Index (AQI) escalated from 235 to 385, while in Kaithal, Haryana, it surged from 152 to 361. Bathinda in Punjab witnessed an increase from 180 to 380, Bharatpur in Rajasthan saw a rise from 211 to 346, and Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in Odisha experienced elevated AQI levels of 380 and 355, respectively.
The post-Diwali period has seen a notable deterioration in air quality, emphasizing the pressing need for measures to address and mitigate the impact of festive celebrations on the environment.
