The Times of India      17.08.2012

Parking rates may be hiked in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The city might be looking at a hike in parking rates soon and change in parking policies as stakeholders have agreed, in principle, that such solutions need to be found for Delhi's parking problem.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Thursday made a presentation to the Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna on parking issues in Delhi, describing problems and proposing solutions for the same.

"A presentation regarding policy initiatives for parking was made to the L-G in the presence of different agencies including the three municipal corporations and NDMC. Now the L-G's office will issue directions after taking a view on the matter. A comprehensive directive will be given by the government," said a source.

After the meeting , Delhi's chief secretary PK Tripathi said that regulating parking was a top priority and certainly hike in parking charges was one way to deter people from unauthorized parking. "We have not yet decided the final course of action but a proposal on parking will be presented before the Delhi cabinet for approval in sometime," Tripathi added.

In its recommendations, the CSE has described how 11% of Delhi is used as parking, and with the number of vehicles expected to only grow in the city, measures need to be undertaken to control both existing and projected parking problems.