New Delhi: Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to identify approximately 3,000 vacant land parcels across the city for developing surface parking facilities. These parking lots are expected to accommodate nearly one lakh vehicles, significantly easing traffic congestion in the national capital.
First Phase Ready for Tender
In the first phase, 232 DDA plots have been identified and are ready for the tender process. These plots are distributed across various zones: 30 in Rohini, 23 in South Delhi, 53 in North Delhi, 98 in Dwarka, and 28 in East Delhi. Officials stated that these parking spaces will go a long way in addressing the parking woes and reducing traffic congestion.
High-Level Meeting
Sandhu chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday with all seven Delhi Lok Sabha MPs and senior DDA officials. The meeting reviewed issues related to parking, traffic, encroachments, utilisation of vacant land, and maintenance of parks. The LG reiterated that all DDA parks must remain open from 6 am to 10 am, and those charging entry fees must allow free access during these hours.
MPs Raise Concerns
MPs flagged unauthorised occupation and encroachment as major civic concerns and assured full cooperation in tackling them. Officials said such meetings will be held regularly to monitor progress.
South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri raised several issues, including the removal of the ‘O-Zone’ classification — the Yamuna riverfront area where construction is restricted due to flood risk — from 91 colonies across multiple constituencies. He also demanded regularisation of 69 affluent colonies, amenities on gram sabha land, and development of parks on vacant plots.
Bidhuri further requested land for the Delhi-Varanasi high-speed rail corridor without it passing through residential areas of Bamnoli and Dhulsiras. He noted that community facilities such as halls, dispensaries, schools, sports grounds, and parks will be developed on gram sabha land subsumed by DDA. Additionally, DDA will issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Public Works Department (PWD) for a road under the Metro line from Harkesh Nagar to Maa Anandamayi Marg. The LG ordered immediate action on these demands.
About the Author: Alok K N Mishra is a New Delhi–based journalist with The Times of India. He has a deep interest in politics and in exploring how governance can be made to work better for the middle class and the poor. He also enjoys analyzing and predicting national political trends.
