New guidelines to redress parking problems in national capital

[dropcap]The[/dropcap] Supreme Court on Monday termed parking as one of the prominent problems in New Delhi. The top court issued a series of guidelines to the Delhi government to assess the parking needs of the city for the next 25 years while granting permission for the upcoming buildings.

In a petition filed by MC Mehta on the rising environmental pollution and traffic congestion, a two-judge bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta noted that "the biggest casualty in this conflict between increasing number of cars and dwindling availability of land is parking space for vehicles".

"There is a need to pass a detailed order on a mundane issue like parking because this may impact town planning. Proper parking policies will also lead to less pollution, less crime and a better and more dignified life which every citizen is entitled to under Article 21 of the Constitution of India", said the bench in its order.

The bench laid down the following guidelines to redress parking issues in the national capital:

1. 'Drop and go' arrangements and adequate facilities for parking large transport hubs such as bus depots, railway stations, metro stations, airports, etc. where a large number of people come.
2. adequate parking facilities to be provided at the Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) connecting the metropolises like Alwar and Meerut with Delhi
3. adequate facilities of parking in institutional areas including – universities, hospitals, government buildings, courts etc. The parking facilities should be available not only for officials and staff members but also for students, patients, and litigants
4. in markets where bulk items have to be transported like subji mandis, fruit mandis, etc. there has to be adequate provision for parking of transport vehicles like trucks, tempos, etc
5. a lane must be earmarked for unhindered movement of vehicles like ambulances, fire tenders, police vehicles etc. This lane should be clearly earmarked on both sides by yellow fluorescent paint or strips and not even an inch of space within the two yellow lines should be permitted to be used for parking.

The apex court also directed the New Delhi Municipal Council, North Delhi Municipal Corporation, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, East Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Cantonment Board

1. to ensure that all the pavements, in the residential areas are cleared from all encroachments and ensure that the pavements are made usable by pedestrians.
2. the draft rules of the Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules 2019 be notified at the earliest and not later than 30.09.2019. List for compliance on 04.10.2019
3. to ensure that while granting permission to build any structures, there is proper assessment of the parking needs for the next 25 years and requisite parking facilities are available.

1. to take into consideration what has been stated in the judgment while evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of the pilot project.
2. to consider the viability and effectiveness of introducing RIFD tags, parking guidance and information systems and last mile connectivity from parking spaces to commercial areas, institutions etc.

The court has listed the matter on January 13, 2020, for further consideration.