NDMC hikes off-road, indoor parking fees

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has announced a two-fold increase in parking fees for all off-road and indoor parking sites under its jurisdiction, effective from October 29.

The revision comes into force following the implementation of Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which was activated after Delhi’s air quality slipped into the “very poor” category.

According to a circular issued by the NDMC, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed the enforcement of Stage-II measures across Delhi-NCR after the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 302 at 7 pm on Tuesday. The NDMC notice stated that the revised parking rates will remain in effect until the revocation of Stage-II.

The revision applies to parking spaces managed directly by the NDMC, which include several high-traffic commercial and government zones such as Connaught Place, Khan Market and central administrative areas. However, the hike will not apply to on-street or monthly parking passes, which the NDMC noted are already priced higher compared to off-road and indoor facilities.

Under GRAP Stage-II, the authorities are required to implement a range of measures to control rising pollution levels. These include intensified mechanised road cleaning, increased use of water sprinklers to reduce dust, strict enforcement of construction site guidelines and regulation of industrial and vehicular emissions.

The doubling of parking fees is aimed at discouraging the use of private vehicles during this period and promoting public transport use to limit traffic-related emissions.

The Stage-II alert is likely to remain in force until a significant improvement in air quality is recorded.