New Delhi: Delhiites may have to pay more for parking during the Commonwealth Games.Chief minister Sheila Dikshit,on Saturday,chaired a high-level meeting to devise ways to bring down pollution levels in the city during the Games.The measures will include an intensive drive to check pollution levels for all vehicles,inspection at the border for vehicles coming into Delhi from outside,increase in parking charges to discourage use of private vehicles,enhancement of public transport by integrating Metro with other modes and closing schools,colleges during the 12-day sporting extravaganza.
Delhi governments transport department will intensify pollution checking drive in September and October this year.
One of the major causes of air pollution in the city is vehicular emissions which are expected to rise during the Games with traffic volumes going up considerably.In addition to over 60 lakh vehicles registered in Delhi,another 10 lakh vehicles come into the city from outside everyday.Dikshit reportedly held the view that the number of vehicles coming from other states should be minimized while the Games are on.
The government will also contact chief ministers of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to intensify pollution checks in their states.Any polluting vehicles found entering Delhi will be forced to return.Of this,a major chunk is comprized of trucks moving on inter-state routes which use Delhi as transit.The government plans to expedite work on the Western Peripheral Expressway to ensure that it is completed before October 2010.With this,curbs will be put on the entry of non-destined vehicles.The traffic police will strictly enforce no-entry timings set for movement of commercial vehicles in the city and the cops could look at restricting the movement of light goods vehicles (LGVs) during the day time as well.
The civic bodies suggested use of readymade stack parkings to accommodate more vehicles during the Games and deploying ex-servicemen as parking contractors.
Different modes of public transport are being integrated Metro and buses will have 43 changeover points before the Games.The government is also planning to create dedicated lanes for non-motorized vehicles.MCD officials said that they had started a pilot project on Bhishma Pitamah Marg and SPM Marg and agreed to streamline the process by making design changes on a 170-metre stretch near JLN stadium.A suggestion was also made to shut down coalbased power stations like Rajghat Power Station while the Games are on.
