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No more ‘free’ parking at Khan Market from next week
Tipping parking attendants at Khan Market, one of the posh markets in the Capital, is the norm, but from next week on, that tip will turn into parking fee.
Tipping parking attendants at Khan Market, one of the posh markets in the Capital, is the norm, but from next week on, that tip will turn into parking fee.
The parking lot managed by the Khan Market Traders' Association till now is going to be turned into a paid parking lot.
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) had called tenders for managing the parking lot in the market and had awarded tenders.
"The scrutiny of documents of successful bidders for the parking lot will take at least one week after which paid parking will begin in the market," said NDMC spokesman Anand Tiwari. However, the civic agency is yet to decide the parking charges.
"We will examine the bidding papers and then finalise parking rates depending on the usage," added Tiwari.
According to sources, parking charges will be kept between R10 and R20 for two hours. The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) had suggested keeping high parking charges — it suggested charging R50 per hour — to discourage patrons from bringing their cars to the market.
However, members of the market association were skeptical whether the move will help decongest the popular market.
"Once it becomes paid parking, more and more people will start parking on the road side which will eventually lead to more congestion," said one of the traders.
"Since 1950, when the market started, we have been taking care of the parking lot. And since 1985, we have employed our own attendants to look after the vehicles. They have been assisting patrons in parking their cars and also keeping a watch on the market," said Sanjiv Mehra, president of the Khan Market Traders' Association.
"We have appealed to the EPCA to review their decision. Shoppers at Khan Market come from families that can easily afford paying parking charges, so despite levying of parking charges, people will continue to come. But as a long-term solution, Khan Market needs a multi-level parking," he added.
Parking problem at Khan Market, the 21st most expensive retail space in the world, has been on an increase since long.
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