New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- Even as the sudden air pollution spike in Delhi has warranted the implementation of Stage-2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap), the directive calling for doubling the parking fee to discourage private vehicle use has yet to be implemented automatically, as the same needs the approval of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD's) house of councillors. A senior municipal official, who did not wish to be named, said that a policy preamble seeking the doubling of parking rates has been put up and it will be executed if the measure is passed by the house of councillors. A second municipal official said that doubling parking rates requires the assent of the elected wing of the MCD, but the proposal has failed to get approval in recent years. "The issue of doubling parking rates comes up every year but faces resistance from the elected wing as it is an unpopular move. Executive wing cannot directly increase the parking fee," the official said, requesting anonymity. "Multiple attempts have been made over the last years to increase the fee during the pollution season, but approval is never granted," the official added. The last time the measure was implemented in MCD areas was in 2017. While issuing the order withdrawing the rate hike in 2017, the erstwhile South Delhi Municipal Corporation had stated that, as a result of the higher rates, "chaotic traffic conditions had occurred and traffic jams were reported from many areas, though a considerable portion of the authorized parking areas remained vacant." The provision has not been activated in MCD areas since that experience. Under the normal pricing for surface parking, four-wheelers are charged Rs.20 per hour, with a maximum of Rs.100 a day; two-wheelers are charged Rs.10 per hour. At multilevel parking sites, the charges are Rs.10, for up to four hours for cars and Rs.5, for up to four hours for two-wheelers....