In a bid to encourage people to switch from their private vehicles to public transport, the AAP government is mulling to replicate the Stockholm model of imposing congestion fees on cars in the national capital’s congested areas. Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai along with public works department minister Satyendar Jain recently visited Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, to study transportation system and road designs there. “Congestion charge is levied on vehicles entering congested areas in Stockholm, aimed at discouraging people not to come with their vehicles in such areas. We are mulling to introduce congestion fees in Delhi’s congested areas and we will have to take steps to discourage people from using their vehicles,” Mr Rai said.
Stating that Stockholm, which was earlier a polluted city, has got dedicated lanes for buses, cycles, pedestrians and cars, Mr Rai said there is a need to encourage people not to use their private vehicles to make the city air clean.
“In Sweden, buses run on biogas and methane, generated through garbage in treatment plant. Besides, parking fees is also charged through machines and we should also consider this. A team from Sweden will soon visit Delhi and study the situation of the capital,” Mr Rai said.
On Wednesday, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation passed a proposal for revision of one-time parking charges which will lead to increase in prices of cars and SUVs in the capital. The NDMC standing committee cleared the proposal for revision of one-time parking fees charged at the time of registration of the vehicles. The proposal will push prices of cars and high-end non-commercial vehicles by Rs 6,000 to over Rs 6 lakh. The prices of commercial vehicles will be raised by Rs 9,500 to Rs 36,000.
The AAP government’s plan for congestion charge comes as it is implementing the city’s second car-free day this month in Dwarka to encourage people to switch from private to public transportation system.
The second car-free day in Dwarka on November 22 will include a bicycle rally, human chain and participation by IAS and DANICS officers.
