The parking woes of motorists visiting New Delhi railway station is all set to end as the revamped premium parking on the Ajmeri Gate side of the station has been thrown open for public. The premium parking area, opposite platform number 16, has a parking capacity of around 250 cars. The premium parking lot would benefit several passengers as the Ajmeri Gate side of the station handles around 70 per cent of the five-lakh footfall at the station.
The revamped premium parking has been opened with the new entry and exit points along with new features like parking slips through automated machines. “The parking lot has an electronic board to display empty slots available at the parking lot. Since parking slips are being issued with automated machine, any chances of motorists being overcharged is ruled out,” said a railway official adding that since the premium parking has separate entry and exit point than the general parking area, the vehicle owners would not be required to enter the common circulating area of the station, which always remains crowded.
However, the services of the premium parking would come at a cost. The rates of the premium parking of cars are higher than the other general parking lot at the station. “The parking rate for a car for the first hour is Rs100. Thereafter, Rs100 is charged for every extra hour,” he added. The parking rates for cars at the general parking lot are much lesser. For the first two hours, the rate is Rs20. From 2-6 hours, the rate is Rs50, while Rs100 is charged for parking a car for 6-12 hours.
To redevelop the premium parking, a portion of an abandoned building on Bhavabhuti Marg was demolished. The space created has been utilised both for entry and exit into the premium parking lot. It would also be convenient for the motorists, who park their vehicle in the premium parking, to enter the platforms.