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Delhi

SC seeks DMRC's reply on EPCA report on lack of parking at metro stations

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has sought response from DMRC on a report by Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) which has flagged the issue of "last mile connectivity" and lack of adequate parking for taxis, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws at metro stations. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta has issued notice to DMRC on EPCA's report which also said that lack of demarcated parking for taxis, three-wheelers and cycle-rickshaws at places like metro stations and inter state bus terminals "greatly add to congestion and problems for commuters".

The report, which was filed in the top court, said that last mile connectivity is a "critical agenda" for Delhi as connectivity, particularly from metro stations and other multi-transport points, would greatly reduce the need for private transport in the city. "Let notice be issued to DMRC with respect to report submitted by EPCA with respect to technology for parking management and plans for last-mile connectivity," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing in November.

The EPCA report said "para-transit vehicles" like taxis, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws need free parking spaces at key public transport points like metro stations. "So, while there is a need to improve the pedestrian infrastructure and increase buses, there can be better use of para-transit vehicles for last mile connectivity," it said.

"But the fact is that today, multi-modal integration is inadequate and so without parking spaces at the metro/inter-state bus stations, the para-transit vehicles taxis, three-wheelers and cycle-rickshaws greatly add to congestion and problems for commuters," it said.

It said that design of metro stations have to incorporate the need for parking of these vehicles but this has not been done as design and control of road space over and above the station infrastructure is not within the purview of DMRC.

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