Speak up Delhi: New parking charges to dig holes in pockets of Mayur Vihar residents

In a jolt, the residents of Mayur Vihar Phase-II, Pocket B, have been subjected to new parking charges in Delhi Development Authority (DDA) market over the past 10 days.

The RP Cell Parking under the open-tender system has provided Mayur Vihar Phase II Pocket B Main Market with six parking spots.

Under this new parking system, the residents will have to pay every time they park their vehicle in the market area. The new policy asks for Rs 10 per hour for two-wheelers, Rs 20 per hour for four-wheelers and Rs 50 for 12 hours for autos. Rs 1,000 for two-wheelers and Rs 2,000 for cars are the per month charges to be paid by the residents parking their vehicles in the market area.

The residents, who were entitled to free parking, now find themselves in a crisis because of such high parking fee. Every time a resident visits the market, they are supposed to park the vehicle and pay which appears to take a heavy toll on their pockets. Although, the parking fee is not a huge amount but the very fact that frequency to the markets can lead to added expenditure, which earlier never posed to be a problem for the marketgoers.

Sanjay Singh, head of parking of Pocket B Market said that they are only responsible for collecting money from everyone, be it a resident or an outsider as per the rate list issued by the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC).

Mayur Vihar Phase- II being a huge residential area is witnessing discontentment not only from the residents but also from the shopkeepers of the Main Market. The residents who would earlier visit the market devoid of any worry would now altogether start avoiding visits to the local shopping complex because of parking costs. This, in turn, has led to the decline in business of the shopkeepers. There is an added fear that the current free parking system for the shopkeepers might end and give way to a system demanding parking charges for them as well. Hence, the market association has been quite firm in opposing this system.

DECLINE IN BUSINESS FOR SHOPKEEPERS

Mayur Vihar Phase- II being a huge residential area is witnessing discontentment not only from the residents but also from the shopkeepers of the Main Market. The residents who would earlier visit the market devoid of any worry would now altogether start avoiding visits to the local shopping complex because of parking costs. This, in turn, has led to the decline in business of the shopkeepers

VOICES

This new policy is really not a happy news. If we have to pay a parking fee everytime we visit the market, then it is better to avoid coming to the market altogether.
—Jaya Mathur, Resident of RWA, Mayur Vihar Phase -II, Pocket B

This parking system has received a mixed reaction from the residents. In order to improve and decongest traffic on the road, it is important that these parking charges are implemented. It is the Master Plan that was formed after multiple meetings which is the basis of this development.
—Atul Goyal, President of United Resident's Joint Action

The EDMC parking system is a 'Parking Mafia' with an aim to mint as much money as possible. It becomes especially difficult for the senior citizens, as they cannot walk long distances and have to take their vehicles to the market, which in turn would take a heavy toll on their pockets.
—BVS Drona, President of RWA, Mayur Vihar Phase -II, Pocket B

The Market Association feared that soon the shopkeepers too would have to pay for parking their vehicles. Also, the EDMC had tried to implement this project twice before but were unable to go through with it because of a strong opposition.
—Mohammad Ajiz, Shopkeeper

If someone has to buy something worth Rs 20 they would have to give an additional Rs 20 or Rs 30 because of parking which is unfair and can lead to a reduction of customers to the market. We are bound to suffer if this new system continues to be implemented.
—Sanju, Owner of Sanju Cool Hut Point

This is a local market where residents come to purchase things that they need on a daily basis. Since these parking charges have been imposed they avoided coming into the market. Nobody wishes to spend extra money on parking, hence, the footfall is reducing and we are the ones who are suffering
— AP Singh, Owner of Soni school uniform shop in Mayur Vihar Phase II

SPEAKING IN FAVOUR

The parking system introduced by the East Delhi Municipal Corporation is appreciable but implementing the process will incur a lot of expense, which I feel will not help much in improving the situation. In fact, this may encourage the residents to altogether avoid parking in the designated parking area.
—Navin Chandra, RWA president, Mayur Vihar Phase – II, Pocket D