The higher rates will be implemented after clearance, a senior official said.The move is aimed at discouraging the use of private vehicles amid worsening air quality in the national capital. The existing hourly parking charges at MCD facilities are Rs 20 for four-wheelers and Rs 10 for two-wheelers.However, the MCD has been unable to introduce similar increases in previous years because of opposition to the proposals and contractual issues involving private parking operators.

The civic body has cited the terms of its existing agreements with contractors as one of the reasons for not doubling parking charges under GRAP restrictions in the past. Under these agreements, the additional money collected after an increase does not automatically go to the corporation."Under the existing terms and conditions, there is no provision for the additional amount collected after doubling the parking charges to automatically go to the MCD.

If the charges are doubled without addressing the contractual arrangements, the additional money could go to the contractor," an official told PTI. The corporation has also raised concerns that parking operators could seek compensation if restrictions on older vehicles reduce the number of vehicles using their facilities. "If the number of vehicles coming to these parking sites falls because of the restrictions, contractors could claim losses and seek compensation from the MCD.

The existing contracts cannot simply be changed without examining the terms and the mechanism for revising them," the official said.Officials also pointed to the lack of consolidated data on vehicles using MCD parking facilities. The parking lots serve vehicles registered in Delhi and other National Capital Region cities, while registration records are maintained by the transport department.The MCD has made several attempts to raise parking charges, including proposals for a four-fold increase, but these did not receive the House's approval.

An earlier proposal to double the rates was sent back by the House, while a revised proposal was rejected in March 2025.The New Delhi Municipal Council has already doubled parking charges at its parking lots from November 1 as part of its pollution-control measures. The MCD's proposed increase, subject to approval, would similarly double its existing rates at around 400 surface parking facilities.- Ends