A section of Delhi Metro commuters is upset over its move to enforce a four-time hike in parking fees for vehicles parked in its spaces from Thursday in the wake of the Delhi government’s directives in view of the national capital’s severe air pollution.

Some of them have questioned the rationale of the move, saying that it would not encourage vehicle-owners to use public transport like Metro, given the “last-mile connectivity problems” in the national capital.

Following a high-level meeting involving the Supreme Court-empowered Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal among other stakeholders on Wednesday, the authorities decided to take more measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle Delhi’s “severe plus or emergency” air pollution situation.

The Delhi government subsequently directed the municipal corporations, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to enhance parking fees by four times immediately until further orders.

Delhi Metro also increased its frequency from Thurday by over 180 additional trips, but there seemed to be resentment among some of its commuters over its move to hike parking fees.

Amit Ahuja, owner of a soap factory who parks his car in Delhi Metro’s Mayur Vihar Phase-1 parking lot, said, “I travel between Mayur Vihar Phase-1 and Chandni Chowk. Earlier, I had to pay only Rs 40, but today I paid Rs 160.”

He said he will prefer travelling by his car from Friday since petrol would cost him less than these parking charges.

According to Metro’s new rate structure, the parking fees of four-wheeler and two-wheeler vehicles for six hours are Rs 80 and Rs 40 respectively, Rs 120 and Rs 60 for 6-12 hours,

and Rs 160 and Rs 80 respectively for over 12 hours.

Another commuter, who travels between Yamuna Bank and Lajpat Nagar Metro station, complained, “I was paying Rs 30 till yesterday, but now they are charging Rs 120. This is not the right way of implementing anything.” He added that from tomorrow he will travel by auto-rickshaw as this would also cost him the same amount.

Ironically, the private contractors who manage the parking spaces of Delhi Metro also did not appear to be happy with the move, apprehending a sharp drop in their customers.

They witnessed a steep decline in parking of vehicles on Thursday itself. Surendra Singh, a parking attendant at Mayur Vihar Extension Metro station said, “Today, I have issued only 70 coupons for four-wheeler vehicles and 160 coupons for two-wheelers, while earlier it used to be 120 and 270 respectively.”

All the three municipal corporations have also decided to increase the parking charges.

They were initially dilly-dallying in executing these orders. However, they said they were now implementing the order as it will discourage people from using private cars which are among the factors for environmental pollution.

“The decision taken in the LG’s meeting for taking preventive measures in severe environment conditions, would be followed in letter and spirit in the interest of the residents and the city,” North Delhi Municipal Commissioner Madhup Vyas said.

A spokesperson for the East Delhi Municipal Corporation said the decision would be implemented. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation also decided to abide by the directive.