To reduce congestion, SDMC hikes parking rate at Hauz Khas

Motorists using ‘surface lot’ at the Hauz Khas multi-level parking, will have to shell out more money as the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has announced more than three times hike in the existing parking rate. The SDMC, which had constructed the three-level parking in Rs 36 crore a couple of years ago, has revised the rate from Rs 30 to Rs 100 per hour claiming that the move will help in reducing traffic chaos and congestion in the busy Hauz Khas area. 

The SDMC also announced to regularise its 68 parking lots by awarding tender to a single company aiming to provide hassle-free parking facilities. Additionally, it has directed all 250 hospitals and 30 malls/commercial complexes either to implement its earlier order to make parking free or face sealing action.

The SDMC informed that the surface lot, having capacity of nearly 200 cars at a time, witnesses chaos as majority of motorists choose the space to park their vehicles instead of the underground lot which has a capacity of 350 cars at a time. 

As vehicles are parked at the surface, it results in chaos in the vicinity of the parking area and its cascading effect are felt in the surrounding locality. With accommodating two to three times more vehicles that the actual capacity, commuters/visitors face hassle all the time. 

“The Corporation charges Rs 20 per hour for underground parking and Rs 30 per hour for surface parking. As people notices little difference in price between the two lots, they park vehicles at the surface level and avoid underground which otherwise has enough space to accommodate vehicles. To encourage use of underground lot, we have decided to hike rate of surface lot and have kept the rate of underground lot unchanged,” said Radhe Shyam Sharma, Chairman of Standing Committee.

Apart from this, the SDMC informed to regulate its 68 out of 78 parking lots by giving them to DIMTS. The civic agency said that the move is likely to add Rs 50 crore in its revenue per year and is expected to facilitate parking users in the SDMC areas. “Presently, we get a little amount from these parking spaces as parking mafias have almost captured these places. Once we will hand it over to a single company, it will not just pay a handsome amount to the Corporation but will provide relief to the citizens,” said Sharma.

Meanwhile, almost five months after passing proposal of free parking facilities at the premises of malls, hospitals and commercial properties/complexes in South Delhi area, the civic body has been mulling to seal the properties by taking over their parking lots. 

The Corporation, which has been sending notices individually to the property owners, said that despite issuing public notices, hefty parking fees are being charged by the operators of parking lots whereas, according to the agreement, they should provide free parking to visitors. 

“As property owners have failed to abide by previous order, we have asked Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all zones to see it personally and seal the properties found violating the order,” added the Chairman.