Digital News Guru New Delhi Desk:
City authorities in New Delhi are moving forward with an ambitious plan to address one of the capital’s most persistent urban challenges — lack of organised parking space. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has proposed a Rs 500 crore mega project aimed at creating large-capacity parking facilities in key congestion-prone areas of the city. The proposal has now been submitted to the Delhi government for approval, marking what civic officials are calling an important step toward easing traffic chaos and improving urban mobility.
The Parking Problem in Delhi
Delhi’s parking issues have become a daily frustration for commuters and residents. With private vehicle numbers rising rapidly, narrow street spaces and busy commercial areas often see vehicles parked haphazardly on roadsides, footpaths, and market frontage — worsening traffic congestion and impeding emergency services. Organised parking infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with the growth in vehicles, particularly in old town areas and high-footfall markets.
Addressing this problem has been a long-standing focus for the MCD, which currently operates hundreds of surface parking lots and a handful of multilevel facilities. However, officials say that available spaces are insufficient and poorly distributed relative to demand. The new Rs 500 crore plan aims to change that by building modern parking infrastructure in strategic locations where demand is highest.
MCD’s Key Proposed Parking Projects
Under the proposal, three major parking facilities are to be developed across the city for which Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have already been prepared. These include:
- Eidgah Road (Old Slaughterhouse Site) – This will be the largest of the three, with an estimated cost of around Rs 346 crore. It is planned as a multi-level parking structure designed to accommodate a large number of vehicles in a highly congested part of the city.
- Rajendra Nagar Parking Facility – A smaller facility estimated at about Rs 76.6 crore. It is set to include basement and multi-level parking to support residents and visitors in this central neighbourhood.
- Shastri Park, Karol Bagh – Estimated at Rs 101.7 crore, this facility will also be designed as a multi-tier parking space, responding to acute demand near the bustling Karol Bagh market.
If approved, these projects are expected to significantly increase organised parking capacity in parts of Old Delhi, central markets, and dense residential corridors — areas that currently struggle with chaotic and illegal parking.
Beyond the Big Three: Additional Parking Plans
While the Rs 500 crore proposal focuses on three flagship sites, the MCD has also identified additional locations where new parking facilities could be developed soon. These include areas like Bank Street, Punjabi Bagh Club Road, Bharat Darshan Park, Pusa Lane, Rani Bagh, and others, with capacities ranging from a few hundred to over 500 cars each. These facilities are part of a broader effort to expand organised parking across multiple neighbourhoods.
The civic body currently operates around 419 surface parking lots and 30 multilevel parking sites, and recently completed others at locations such as Hauz Khas, Lajpat Nagar, and Qutub Road. Projects are also ongoing at Fatehpuri Market and Greater Kailash-I. These incremental improvements, combined with the new mega project, are expected to reshape how vehicles are parked and managed in the city.
Challenges and Citizen Behaviour
Despite planning and proposals, MCD officials acknowledge the challenges in land availability and commuter behaviour. Delhi’s dense urban fabric makes it difficult to identify large plots for parking infrastructure, and finding locations that are both accessible and acceptably distanced from busy markets is no small task. Moreover, even where parking facilities exist, commuters sometimes hesitate to use them if they perceive them as inconvenient or far from their destination.
Officials emphasise that part of the plan will also include awareness and incentive programmes to encourage drivers to use organized parking rather than leaving vehicles on roadside pavements and carriageways. Combined with better enforcement against illegal parking, these measures are expected to make a tangible difference.
Expected Benefits for Urban Mobility
The main goal of the Rs 500 crore parking proposal is to reduce illegal roadside parking, which in turn is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve road safety, and enhance pedestrian movement. Well-designed parking facilities can also reduce wear and tear on pavements and curbs, protect public property, and improve accessibility for emergency vehicles.
For local businesses and shoppers, these facilities could offer more predictable parking options, reducing the time spent circling for a parking spot and improving the overall experience of visiting markets like Karol Bagh and Rajendra Nagar. In addition, the new structures are expected to support municipal revenue generation through structured fees and efficient management.
Next Steps: Seeking Approvals and Implementation
The proposal now rests with the Delhi government, which must review, approve, and allocate the necessary administrative and financial clearances before work can begin. Once approvals are secured, the MCD plans to begin tendering and construction phases in a phased manner. Officials hope that progress on these projects will begin within the next 12–18 months, with some facilities potentially opening earlier if fast-track clearances are granted.
A Long-Term Vision for Delhi’s Roads
The Rs 500 crore parking initiative is part of a long-term vision to modernise urban infrastructure in India’s capital. Beyond parking, the city is also undertaking efforts to improve traffic management, enhance public transport connections, and promote sustainable mobility solutions such as cycling lanes and pedestrian-friendly zones. The success of the parking projects will likely influence future urban planning decisions in the region.
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