The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to overhaul its parking lot operations by integrating point-of-sale (POS) machines directly with its central server. This move aims to address persistent complaints of pilferage, overcharging, and failure to issue parking slips at its facilities.
Pilot Project Launch
An official stated, “We expect to launch the pilot project within the next 15 days. While POS machines are already mandatory at parking lots, they will now be integrated with MCD’s server to eliminate any scope for corruption, misuse and illegal parking.” Discussions with banks to implement a robust payment mechanism have already taken place.
Current System and Reforms
Currently, parking fees are collected by attendants employed by contractors who pay a monthly licence fee to MCD. The civic body plans to popularise a ‘no receipt, no parking’ campaign to encourage users to insist on payment receipts. This initiative aims to curb overcharging and discourage attendants from collecting unauthorised fees, following repeated disputes at parking lots.
“If parking attendants claim POS machines are not functioning or are not connected to our server, appropriate action will be taken. A feedback system will also be provided to users,” the official added. “These reforms will help us get accurate data on revenue collection and vehicle footfall at each parking lot, so that realistic reserve prices can be determined while inviting fresh tenders.”
Revenue Recovery and New Tenders
In another effort to improve revenue collection, MCD has decided not to grant extensions to contractors operating 55 parking lots and has floated fresh tenders for these sites. Officials noted that several contractors had continued operating lots for nearly two years after their contracts expired at old licence rates, with some not clearing pending dues and arrears for nearly two years, leading to litigation.
“We are aggressively pursuing these matters and resolving disputes to recover outstanding revenue,” the official said. MCD recently recovered arrears of Rs 4.5 crore from the contractor operating the Parade Ground multi-level parking facility and Rs 2.6 crore from the Lajpat Nagar surface parking site. With these measures, the civic body expects monthly parking revenue to increase from about Rs 2.3 crore to Rs 4.7 crore.
New Parking Sites
To improve parking management and curb illegal parking, MCD has identified 49 new sites for surface parking facilities. “Of these, 32 sites are located on MCD or PWD land. The tendering process will begin shortly. The remaining 17 sites are on DDA land, and the authority will be approached for transfer of the land,” the official said. Additionally, sites for nine multi-level parking facilities have been identified.
MCD currently operates about 430 authorised parking lots, including 14 multi-level parking facilities, across Delhi. Together, these sites can accommodate nearly 51,000 vehicles and play a significant role in managing traffic congestion in commercial and residential areas.
