The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas has expressed serious concern about the lack of progress in implementing parking reforms in Delhi and the NCR. These reforms are seen as crucial to reducing air pollution, particularly from private vehicles. It has issued a notice in this regard dated April 24, 2024.
Transport contributes significantly to air pollution in NCR, especially during winter. The Supreme Court has previously directed NCR authorities to create comprehensive parking plans.
- The Committee of Secretaries, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, has repeatedly emphasized the need for:
- Time-bound expansion of public transport facilities.
- Implementing rational parking charges and congestion pricing.
- The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for tackling air pollution also mandates:
- Encouraging a shift from private vehicles to public transport through parking fee adjustments.
Despite directives from the Supreme Court, Committee of Secretaries, and CAQM, progress on parking reforms has been slow. While Delhi has notified the Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules, 2019, detailed ward-wise plans with parking fees are yet to be implemented. Other NCR states haven’t even notified parking rules.
There’s been minimal action on optimizing parking fees to discourage private vehicle use. NDMC’s temporary doubling of parking fees during a critical pollution period was the only initiative, and those charges were later reversed.
CAQM’s Action
- Recognizing the urgency, CAQM has directed NCR authorities to:
- Finalize and implement parking fee rationalization by August 30, 2024.
- Submit compliance reports to CAQM.
