New Delhi: Municipal Corporation of Delhi is planning to phase out surface parking in the city and will soon approach Delhi govt, officials said on Monday.Surface parking, open, ground-level parking areas without barriers, has become a major cause of congestion and mismanagement in several parts of the city, they said. Delhi has more than 300 such sites, most of them managed by private contractors.“In surface parking, vehicles are often parked haphazardly since there is no clear demarcation or proper entry-exit points. Contractors sometimes extend parking beyond the designated area and charge extra money,” an official said. Unlike multi-level or authorised barrier parking facilities — enclosed or barricaded areas with regulated entry and exit — surface parking sites are open and unmonitored. The official pointed out that while more than 300 surface parking sites were authorised, the rest of the city witnessed free and unregulated parking outside residential complexes, commercial buildings and in markets. “All complaints come to MCD, though we do not directly run these 300 sites. These sites are not helping us in any way,” the official said.“For the time being, we are suggesting phasing out these sites and making them free for people. We also suggested this earlier to Delhi govt,” he added.Another official pointed out that to prevent revenue loss, “we are proposing to double the one-time parking fee at the time of registration”. PTI
