In a move to discourage private vehicles amid deteriorating air pollution, the parking charges in Delhi have been doubled by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday. The plan is aimed at controlling vehicular pollution, a significant contributor to the city pollution. The increased parking fee for off road parking in light of the statutory directions issued by Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP – II) included Rs 40 for cars from Rs 20, Rs 20 for scooters from Rs 10 and Rs 300 for buses to Rs 150. On the other hand, for indoor sites, the fees include Rs 20 for cars from Rs 10 and Rs 10 for scooters to Rs 5. The national Capitals Air Quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday was in the very poor category at 364 according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) with three areas in Delhi crossing the 400 mark including Jahangirpuri recording an aqi of 416, Anand Vihar recording 413 aqi and Vivek Vihar recording 407 aqi at 5 pm. A senior police official of the NDMC said, As per statutory directions issued by CAQM GRAP – II i.e. very poor air quality thus, certain actions are envisaged to be taken to prevent further deterioration of Air Quality. One of the actions is regarding enhancement of parking fees to discourage private transport. It added that based on the CAQM order, NDMC has decided to enhance the Parking fees. However, the enhancement of parking charges will not be implemented for the on-street parking sites and monthly passes. NDMC has a total 152 parking sites in which 113 off-road sites, three indoor sites, 39 street parking and two multilevel parking sites. Total 116 parking sites (off- roads and indoor) users will be affected by the decision of Parking Fee enhancement, the officer added. Meanwhile, the council has also issued guidelines and measures for Residents Welfare Association (RWAs) and Market Traders Association (MTAs) in order to mitigate the air pollution along with imposing hefty challan for burning garbage.

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