Suruchi Kumari
NEW DELHI While Delhi’s worsening air quality leaves citizens gasping for breath, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is yet to increase the parking charges, a crucial anti-pollution measure, under Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), even two weeks after the order came into effect.
According to officials, the proposal to hike parking charges, aimed at discouraging private vehicle use, is still awaiting approval from the civic body’s House. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-II of GRAP on October 19 after Delhi’s air quality slipped into the ‘very poor’ category. Among the 12 prescribed measures under GRAP-II is an increase in parking fees to limit vehicular emissions.
Proposal to be tabled
Studies, including one by IIT Kanpur, have shown that vehicles account for nearly 20% of Delhi’s PM2.5 levels, a major contributor to the Capital’s toxic smog. “A proposal to double parking fees in compliance with GRAP-II will be tabled in the next House meeting due in the coming weeks. We cannot raise the rates without the House’s consent. A similar proposal last year was referred and eventually rejected,” said an MCD official.
