Shopping is all set to get more expensive. And it’s not because of the irresistibles that make you empty your wallet, but parking rates that are likely to soon be hiked.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi is likely to soon revise parking rates in the capital. Subhash Arya, of MCD, was quoted saying, “We will either have a uniform system throughout Delhi, under which we will charge Rs 10 for two hours and then Rs 10 for each additional hour (the system followed by NDMC in Connaught Place and other areas) or increase the rate uniformly for MCD parking sites only.”
Anghsuman Roy, who works in a private firm opines, “It’s good for the first two hours, when it’s Rs 5 an hour. But the chanrges thereafter will pinch the middle-class. NDMC should decide on a rate that’s more affordable to the middle-class.”
If these increased parking rates will affect the common man, what about malls, which charge higher rates for parking? Rabia Kochar, says, “Yes, malls are expensive, but it’s ok to spend extra when you know your car is safe. We have no option but to pay. This move will not stop people from going to markets or malls.”
Advertising professional Khalid Nabi is contemplating switching to walking or taking a cycle rickshaw, “At this rate, I am not sure if I would be able to take my car out over the weekend as malls charge much more. With so many hikes, it is not as if our salary is increasing as well, we have to manage within the stipulated budget.”
Interestingly, Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) is supporting MCD’s proposal. EPCA has been advocating a hike in parking rates to encourage the use of public transport and decongest Delhi.
Anghsuman adds, “I tend to spend over five hours with friends over the weekend, either shopping or watching a movie. I will have to revert to public transport in near future.”