In an attempt to make the parking system more ‘structured’ and ‘safe’ for users, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is planning to hand over all the parking lots in its area to Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) limited. The proposal comes at a time when the civic body’s ambitious automated multi-level parking projects are either reeling for want of usage or stuck for clearance issues.
As directed by the civic agency, DIMTS conducted a field study of 103 sites for taking over the development and management of parking lots currently under the NDMC. Barring four parking sites, the DIMTS is likely to take up 99 existing lots. In the proposal submitted by the company, 26 identified off-street parking sites are set to get a major enhancement with boom barrier computers, entry and exit stations, vacancy lights and booths. Besides, handheld devices will also be provided at 73 parking spaces as a fall-back mechanism for the issue of parking tickets to ensure all revenues are captured at the backend.
“The current parking system is not clearly defined. Private contractors let in cars in their parking lots even when it is full which often leads to congestion in many areas. If a parking lot can accommodate 200 vehicles, even a single car more than that must not be permitted,” said Jalaj Shrivastava, Chairman, NDMC. To ensure people themselves do not tend to drive in at full lots, the proposal by DIMTS has also made a provision of three large Variable-Message Sign (VMS). For on-street parking, online GPRS enabled handheld devices are proposed to be used. “28 off-street parking sites will be provided only with handheld devices because volume of transaction in these spaces is very low as they are of less than 500 square metre,” said a source.
When asked about whether the proposal will be a success, a senior official said, “We will be at no loss as the company itself will be incurring the capital investment and maintenance too will be at their hands. Besides, this is just one proposal to which there might be modifications.
“Sources said if the proposal is passed, DIMTS would be spending Rs 22 crore as operating cost for all 99 parking lots in the first year. While it will make an initial investment of Rs 10.5 crore on relevant technological solution for the concept, the monthly estimate for off-street parking lot will be Rs 4.52 crore. The monthly cost for on-street parking is likely to be around Rs 90,000. Beyond Rs 22 crore, the NDMC will also get a share of the revenue which would be between 70 per cent-80 per cent.
However, if the proposal is taken up then parking rates would be instantly hiked in the NDMC area to meet their initial costs. The NDMC is yet to implement its new parking rates which have been stuck since June last year. “Operational costs requiring inflation adjustment comprise 82 per cent of the total operating cost. Therefore, 82 per cent of the operations cost will be adjusted periodically for inflation,” he added.