Delhi: 'Vehicle-free' Connaught Place still a distant dream

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) ambitious plan to make Cannaught Place " vehicle-free" is still on the paper. Six months after the central government nod to "vehicle-free" CP, NDMC is yet finding a way to implement the plan.

"We have been in discussion with the traffic police on findings ways to implement the plan. Arranging for e-rickshaws for last mile connectivity and facilitating adequate parking remain the key challenge. We are working on it", a senior NDMC official said.

The project was expected to decongest the city's iconic commercial center. As per the plan, people driving to the CP will park at designated places-Shivaji Stadium, Baba Kharak marg, and Palika Bazar- and then take a shuttle service to reach the inner and middle circles. The pilot project was approved by Union Urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu.

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Total parking capacity at Shivaji Stadium, Baba Kharak Singh Marg and Pallika is 3,172. But on average, only 1,058 vehicles are parked in these locations, the official said. The unutilised space could be used for promoting "park and ride" concept.

"We are in the process of developing a consensus with traders and believe that the footfall will not suffer because of the plan", the civic body official said.

The trial project to be followed by pedestrianization of Khan market was part of the Prime Minister's flagship project, the Smart City Mission, which completed two years on June 25.

The inner and middle circle of CP were to be made car free for three months and visitors were to be provided with the 'park and ride facility' however, the plan is yet to take off with the civic body exploring ways for executing the idea.

The traders in CP denounced the government initiative and threatened to go on strike if the plan was executed as their business might get affected by this move.

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