INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Vehicles stuck in traffic jam in New Delhi
(Photo: PTI)2 min read Last Updated : Oct 12 2024 | 2:16 PM IST
Inspired by cities like London, New York, and Singapore, the Delhi
The move aims to address traffic congestion and reduce pollution.
The tax collection is expected to be automated through FASTag, avoiding
manual collection to prevent traffic bottlenecks
Two-wheelers and non-polluting vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs), are likely to be exempt from this tax.
A report by The Times
encountered a challenge when the law department noted that the Motor Vehicles Act does not include provisions for such charges
generated from the tax, along with any penalties, will be used to enhance public transportation and improve road infrastructure,
particularly for vulnerable users such as cyclists and pedestrians, another official said, as mentioned by the report.
The official also
highlighted that the influx of vehicles from nearby rapidly expanding towns and the flow of commercial goods vehicles have contributed to
the increased vehicular traffic entering Delhi
He added that prolonged time spent in traffic negatively impacts air quality due to emissions from idling vehicles.
Currently, several
border areas, including DND and New Ashok Nagar, are major choke points.
This is not the first time such a measure has been considered in
Similar proposals were discussed in the past, but could not be implemented
In 2018, a plan was introduced to impose a congestion tax on vehicles along 21 high-traffic stretches in the city, including sections like
the Aurobindo Chowk-Andheria More corridor, the Nehru Place to Modi Mills flyover, areas around Hauz Khas Metro station, and the ITO
intersection.
In 2009, then Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit suggested an additional charge on private vehicles entering the capital to
However, the proposal was eventually shelved.
The government plans to use FASTag technology for congestion tax collection, using RFID
readers and number plate recognition (NPR) cameras to ensure smooth traffic flow without causing delays, an official said, as stated in the
report.First Published: Oct 12 2024 | 2:16 PMIST
