CP traders want NDMC to rationalize parking rate

NEW DELHI: Months after New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) introduced a special parking rate at Connaught Place and neighbouring markets, traders’ associations want the civic agency to rationalize it. The steep hike, they say, has led to a decline in the footfall.
In May, the rate was increased from Rs 10 for the entire day to Rs 20 per hour and implemented after these parking lots were handed over to Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS).NDMC had failed to implement the decision last year following protests from parking contractors.
The current rate is higher than what people pay even in malls, said traders. “We are fine with a hike in the rate, but it should be rationalized. The civic agencies should charge Rs 20 for the first three hours and Rs 20 for every subsequent hour,” said Atul Bhargava, president of New Delhi Traders Association.
Those who come to shop or eat spend at least two-three hours, pointed out traders. “We are not against any hike in the parking rate, but it should be done keeping our interest in mind,” said a trader. “The hike will also deter people who park their vehicles throughout the day here,” said another.
The traders’ associations are planning to write to NDMC. Agency officials said it was already planning to rationalize the rates. “Traders have not approached us yet, but we are considering the matter,” said a senior NDMC official.
NDMC officials said the surface-level parking rates were hiked to encourage people to use the multilevel parking lots at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, which has been hardly used since its inauguration in 2012, and at Shivaji Staium. “Even now not many people are using the multilevel parking lots,” said an official.
Last year, the then Delhi LG, Tejendra Khanna, had approved higher parking rates based on the recommendations of a Delhi high court-appointed special task force. The rates were Rs 10 for 30 minutes, Rs 20 for an hour, Rs 50 for three hours and an increase of Rs 20 for every subsequent hour. While the three BJP-led corporations had refused to implement the rates, NDMC had decided to introduce new rates.