The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is likely to table two significant proposals at its upcoming house meeting, aiming to address the city’s pollution levels and improve traffic management. The meeting is scheduled for June 27 at the corporation’s headquarters, where the MCD will deliberate on enhancing parking fees by four times when the pollution levels in the city reach stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
According to the agenda, the proposal is being tabled as directed by the Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi and its adjoining areas. The increase in parking fees is intended to control the pollution caused by vehicular movement in the city. The MCD has identified the need to curb the rising pollution levels, which are a growing concern for residents and authorities alike.
In addition to discussing the parking fees, the MCD House meeting will also consider the extension of the agreement for the automated toll-collecting system at 13 major road entry points connecting to Delhi. The existing contract is set to expire on November 25, 2024, and the civic body has proposed extending the agreement with the existing contractors, Tecsidel India Pvt. Ltd and GHV (India) Pvt. Ltd (JV), for a period of two years till 2026.
The automated toll collecting system was implemented as part of a Rs 80.95 crore project, including a 5-year operations and maintenance contract, at a cost of 18 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST). The system is currently operational at 13 locations, covering a total of 65 toll lanes. The major toll plazas include Kundli, Rajokri, Tikri, Aya Nagar, Kalindi Kunj, Kapashera, DND Toll Bridge, Badarpur-Faridabad (Main), Badarpur-Faridabad, Shahdara (Main), Shahdara (Flyover), Gazipur (Main), and Gazipur (old).
The extension of the agreement is aimed at ensuring the smooth continuation of the toll collection system, which has become an essential component of the city’s traffic management infrastructure. The proposal is expected to be discussed and approved by the MCD House, paving the way for the implementation of these measures aimed at improving the city’s air quality and traffic management.