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Delhi Doubles Parking Fees Under GRAP 3 & 4 to Curb Private Vehicle Use

The Delhi government has announced a doubling of parking charges at authorized sites when GRAP Stages III or IV for severe air quality are invoked, aiming to reduce private vehicle usage. The policy exempts parking facilities owned by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The decision is based on studies showing vehicles contribute significantly to winter pollution and follows directives from the National Green Tribunal and the Commission for Air Quality Management. This measure is part of a broader transport demand management strategy to improve the capital's concerning air quality.

Key Points: Delhi Doubles Parking Charges to Fight Air Pollution

  • Parking charges doubled under GRAP 3 & 4
  • DMRC parking lots exempted
  • Vehicles major source of winter pollution
  • Follows National Green Tribunal order
  • Part of broader CAQM policy
2 min read

Delhi govt doubles parking charges under GRAP 3, 4 to discourage use of private vehicles

Delhi govt hikes parking fees under GRAP stages 3 & 4 to discourage private vehicles and combat severe air quality levels.

"Enhance vehicle Parking fees to discourage private transport - Commission for Air Quality Management"

New Delhi, January 21

The Delhi government on Wednesday decided to double the existing parking charges at authorised parking sites to discourage use of private vehicles when GRAP Stage III- 'Severe' Air Quality and GRAP Stage IV- 'Severe +' Air Quality are invoked.

The decision comes to counter the situation of air pollution in the national capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) level at 324 at 7 pm.

According to the notification issued on January 8, the parking spaces owned and managed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) are exempted from the doubling of charges.

As per the notification, a comprehensive study on air pollution and greenhouse gases 2015, conducted by IIT Kanpur, said that vehicles contribute about 19.7 per cent of PM10 and 25.1 per cent of PM2.5 in winters and about 6.4 per cent of PM10 and 8.5 per cent of PM2.5 in summers. Vehicles contribute to about 18 per cent of CH4 emissions, 92 per cent of N2O emissions and 30 per cent of CO2 emissions in the city, based on annual emissions.

A total of about 82.4 lakhs vehicles are registered in Delhi. There are about 677 parking facilities available with approved parking capacity for about 1,06,037 number of vehicles (excluding vehicles being parked in 91 parking areas of DMRC).

According to the notification, the move also follows the National Green Tribunal order, which directed that the government shall provide destination buses and make every effort to discourage the use of private vehicles, including two-wheelers, cars and heavy vehicles.

The Department of Environment and Forest took into consideration the fact that Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed to "Enhance vehicle Parking fees to discourage private transport" during the invoking of GRAP Stage II - 'Very Poor', and CAQM Policy to Curb Policy to Curb Air Pollution in the National Capital Region, issued in July 2022, also provides guidelines for parking policy and various vehicle restraint measures for parking management including the introduction of Transport Demand Management measures with steep rise in parking fees.

Although the air quality has shown a marginal improvement compared to Tuesday, the overall situation in the national capital remains concerning.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This feels like punishing the common person. What about improving public transport first? The buses are always overcrowded and unreliable. How do they expect office-goers with kids to manage? The intention is good, but the execution is harsh.
R
Rohit P
Good move, but why exempt DMRC parking? If the goal is to discourage private vehicles, even Metro parking should have higher charges. Otherwise, people will just drive to the station and add to the last-mile congestion. The policy needs to be consistent.
S
Sarah B
The IIT Kanpur data is eye-opening. Vehicles contribute so much to winter pollution. As a resident, the smog is unbearable. While the fee hike is inconvenient, public health has to come first. We all need to do our bit.
M
Michael C
This is just another revenue collection scheme disguised as an environmental measure. What about the real polluters - industries, construction dust, and stubble burning? Targeting car owners is easier than fixing the root causes. 😐
A
Ananya R
As a daily Metro user, I support this. But the government must also increase feeder bus services and improve footpaths. Many areas are not walkable at all. Carrots and sticks both are needed for a behavioural shift.
V
Vikram M
The numbers are staggering -

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