Delhi pollution: NDMC hikes Delhi parking charges as GRAP Stage-II activated-what's allowed and what is not

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday announced a sharp hike in parking charges, doubling the existing rates at all off-road and indoor parking sites under its jurisdiction, as per a report published in The Indian Express (Times of India has not independently verified this information). The revised rates, which took effect immediately, are part of the measures enforced under Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).As per the report, parking charges at civic-run facilities will now cost twice as much as before, and the revised rates will remain in force until the lifting of GRAP Stage-II restrictions.Under the new structure, parking a four-wheeler will now cost INR 40 per hour, earlier it was INR 20. For two-wheelers, the rate has been increased from INR 10 to INR 20 per hour, while parking a bus will now cost INR 300 per hour from the previous rate of INR 150.As per the NDMC, the hike applies only to off-road and indoor parking spaces, and does not extend to on-street parking or monthly pass holders, as those charges are already at a relatively higher bracket.At present, the NDMC manages 126 parking facilities across the New Delhi area, including 99 off-road sites, 24 on-street lots, and 3 multi-level indoor parking structures. It is estimated that about 102 sites will be affected by the latest fee revision.The parking fee revision aligns with the Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) directive to activate Stage-II of GRAP. There has been a sustained dip in air quality since Diwali. Stage-II is triggered when pollution levels consistently fall in the “very poor” category and calls for several restrictions to reduce emissions.If reports are to go by, Delhi raising parking fees can also be seen as a measure to discourage private vehicle use. The city is boosting public transport availability through additional metro and bus services, and at the same time limiting entry of non-CNG and non-electric interstate buses from neighboring NCR states into Delhi. All of these measures are in place to control the deteriorating air quality, post Diwali. Diesel generator (DG) sets can now only operate if equipped with emission control devices or if run on dual-fuel mode. The Delhi Police and transport authorities have also been instructed to ensure smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion at critical points.As per a report published in Hindustan Times (Times of India has not independently verified this information) the NDMC’s sub-committee responsible for implementing GRAP measures met on October 19 to review data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). Based on forecasts indicating stagnant weather and low wind speed, conditions that trap pollutants near the surface, the panel decided to trigger Stage-II controls preemptively. The report also states that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is yet to announce any hikes. Any revision in parking fees would require approval from the House of Councillors, which has not yet taken up the proposal.This is not the first time NDMC has invoked such a measure. Similar hikes were introduced in 2023 and 2024, when GRAP restrictions were implemented during the winter smog season. Each winter, Delhi and its neighbouring regions face a recurring air pollution crisis, driven by multiple factors like post-harvest stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and festive fireworks. Weather conditions, particularly low wind speeds further exacerbate the problem by preventing dispersion of pollutants.With Stage-II now in force, officials are monitoring pollution levels closely, as forecasts suggest that conditions may remain unfavorable in the coming week.