The Delhi government is considering to impose congestion tax on vehicles entering the city during peak hours. The move aims at bringing down the traffic congestion and level of pollution, which has become a serious concern for the national capital.
The congestion charge would be levied at 13 major entry points to Delhi from its borders. It would peak from 8 am to 10 am and 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Such tax collection would be automated through FASTag, as is the prevailing norm today, so as not to cause traffic choke points due to manual modes of tax collection processes.
The exemption will likely apply to all two-wheelers and non-polluting vehicles, such as electric vehicles, in order to incentivize sustainable transport.
Delhi to Impose Congestion Tax on Vehicles Entering the City During Peak Hours: Inspired by Foreign Countries
The government in Delhi has been considering it for some time now, taking inspiration from congestion pricing measures already in action in cities like London, New York, and Singapore. Legal problems with the Motor Vehicles Act delayed its execution. To introduce a congestion tax, amendments in the Act or new legal provisions are needed.
Revenue raised from the tax would be utilized to develop public transport and repair roads for cyclists and pedestrians. The congestion in Delhi has largely been caused by the rise in traffic from the nearby fast-growing towns and commercial goods vehicles. Lengthier delay in traffic leads to greater vehicle emissions, further contributing to air pollution in the city.
Places like DND and New Ashok Nagar are some big border areas that act as choke points. Proposals regarding congestion tax for Delhi were also in talks but could never be materialized due to one or other reason.
The Delhi government intends to use RFID readers and number plate recognition cameras for collecting congestion tax. The technology is said to be fast and would not delay the traffic.
That means vehicles will be charged at specific entry points while entering the city during rush hours. It is yet another move on the part of Delhi to tackle the twin demons of pollution and traffic congestion.
The FASTag system would ensure smooth, seamless, and automated toll collection for congestion tax. The congestion tax aims at vehicles entering the city during peak hours.
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