New Delhi: Aiming to offer advanced, tech-driven and user-friendly services to commuters, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has revised the operational framework for its 155 parking sites in Lutyens’ Delhi as the first step towards implementing the long-pending intelligent parking system.After several failed attempts over the past few years to appoint an expert agency, the civic body now plans to invite tenders in Jan and finalise the process by March.Under the new framework, NDMC has divided its 155 parking lots into three zones — Connaught Place, Kartavya Path, and areas north of Kartavya Path, including Sarojini Nagar, Bhikaji Cama Place and adjoining localities, said NDMC vice-chairman Kuljeet Chahal.“We earlier had 99 parking sites in and around Connaught Place and 38 in other parts of Lutyens’ Delhi. In recent years, 18 more sites were added or transferred to NDMC, taking the total number to 155. We are targeting making this project operational in the coming financial year to ensure a smooth parking experience for visitors and generate revenue as well,” Chahal said.The facilities will together provide space for 15,158 vehicles, including 10,322 four-wheelers, 4,713 two-wheelers and 123 buses. The agency will be responsible for designing, developing, supplying, implementing, operating and maintaining the parking system.Several parking sites have remained without private contractors for nearly five years after the completion of earlier contracts. In Aug last year, 99 parking lots also became free following the expiry of the contractor’s tenure. Since then, 123 sites were managed through temporary arrangements involving over 400 NDMC staff drawn from various departments. The rest are operated by institutions, RWAs or market associations.Officials said this stopgap arrangement resulted in inconvenience to visitors, inefficient utilisation of parking spaces and financial losses. Commuters frequently face difficulty in finding parking slots and obtaining parking slips, while operational efficiency was also affected. “In Feb 2025, NDMC tried to engage a single agency to implement an integrated parking system at a rate of Rs 7 crore per month or 50% of the collection. However, only two bidders participated in the e-tender process. Later, both were found ineligible, leading to cancellation of the bids,” an official said.
