New Delhi: A late-night dinner or visit to Lutyens’ Delhi could become more expensive if the New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) proposed parking management system is implemented. A parking tender invited recently proposed charging double the normal hourly parking rate for vehicles parked after midnight, besides increasing existing parking charges by 40-50% and raising monthly pass rates by two to three times.The proposal comes at a time when Delhi govt is looking to promote nightlife in the capital. Traders fear that higher parking charges could discourage many people from visiting popular commercial areas such as Connaught Place, Janpath and Sarojini Nagar.NDMC has invited tenders for the operation and upgradation of 157 parking sites, with a combined capacity of around 15,060 cars. The proposed system aims to introduce smart parking facilities, including digital transactions and real-time information on vacant spaces.The tender also provides for double charges for motorists opting to pay in cash. The idea is to discourage people to pay in cash.Another provision allows vehicles parked for more than 24 hours to be towed to designated locations. Motorists will have to pay towing charges as well as daily storage fees to retrieve their vehicles.
