Delhi's Parking Policy Stalls as MCD Fails to Implement Reforms
More than six years after the notification of Delhi's comprehensive parking policy, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has yet to take substantial steps to enforce the Parking Area Management Plans (PAMPs). This initiative was designed to alleviate parking disputes in residential zones, establish designated spots for residents and visitors, and ensure emergency vehicle access by decongesting roads, in line with Supreme Court directives. However, ground-level implementation has been sporadic and ineffective, leaving many areas in chaos.
Funds Underutilized Despite Significant Revenue
The corporation receives a portion of the one-time road tax collected from vehicle registrations, with Rs 605.8 crore transferred to MCD from 2022 to date. Despite this substantial inflow, minimal funds have been visibly allocated toward parking reforms. Reports indicate some money was used for interlocking tile work and a multi-level parking facility in Subhash Nagar, but the utilization of the remaining amount remains unclear, raising questions about financial management and priorities.
Recent Survey Highlights Critical Issues
In February 2025, MCD conducted a parking survey in Nizamuddin East to identify problem areas and devise management strategies. The findings were alarming: half of the parking sites were occupied, with no space available near main entry and exit points, walkways, islands, or footpaths. Service lanes and back lanes were clogged with parked vehicles, leaving little room for emergency-service vehicles to maneuver. Additionally, buses were parked outside schools, while cabs occupied the opposite sides of roads, exacerbating congestion and safety risks. Due to the area's proximity to Humayun's Tomb and high tourist traffic, a detailed parking plan was drafted, including a site outside the colony to ease road congestion, but implementation has lagged.
Past Plans Stalled and Unapproved
Prior to 2021, parking plans were developed for 17 localities, such as Gulmohar Park, Neeti Bagh, Anand Lok, and Aurobindo Marg. However, most of these plans failed to secure approvals from the Delhi government and were never executed. A senior government official confirmed that MCD submitted these plans, which were reviewed by a sub-committee led by the transport department commissioner. After scrutiny, only four were approved, while the remaining 13 were sent to the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) for technical evaluation. SPA raised observations, and MCD was expected to revise the plans accordingly, but the civic body has yet to respond, causing further delays. Other agencies like the DDA are also required to prepare parking plans, with NDMC currently in the process of doing so.
Limited Success and Compliance Challenges
Only two areas, Lajpat Nagar-III and Central Market, had implemented parking plans before the unification of civic bodies. However, compliance in Lajpat Nagar-III remains poor due to disagreements among residents and stakeholders. Previous efforts in Kamla Nagar and Krishna Nagar markets to earmark parking spaces for decongestion were sustained for only a few weeks, highlighting the challenges of long-term enforcement. Following meetings in 2025, the Delhi government suggested revisiting the PAMPs to account for evolving ground realities, but MCD has refused to provide updates on the matter.
Policy Framework and Objectives
In September 2019, the Delhi government notified the parking reforms through the Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules, 2019. The PAMPs aimed to enhance on-street and off-street parking availability in residential areas, optimize road space for user convenience, and prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, emergency vehicles, and vending zones. The policy also recommended a dynamic pricing mechanism for parking during peak and non-peak hours. Civic agencies were instructed to consider developing open areas, excluding green zones or parks, as paid parking lots, and to prohibit parking on footpaths while towing illegally parked vehicles.
The ongoing inaction by MCD underscores significant gaps in urban governance, impacting daily life and safety in Delhi. With funds underutilized and plans stalled, residents continue to face congestion and accessibility issues, calling for urgent intervention and accountability.
