Centre directs NDMC to make CP, Khan Market ‘no vehicle zones’

NEW DELHI: Concerned over air pollution and traffic congestion, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday asked the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to convert Connaught Place and Khan Market into no vehicle zones through necessary planning for traffic management, parking and last mile connectivity.

Expressing concern over poor maintenance of roads from airport to Connaught Place, Naidu directed that NDMC and South MCD should undertake necessary interventions to make this section a smart road with all necessary features like pathways, landscaping all along the road etc so that it looks world class.

The minister also stressed on the need for provision of quality pedestrian pathways and non-motorised transport infrastructure.

“All roads in the NDMC area should be made smart with smart poles, smart bus stops, smart parking, pedestrian crossings, pedestrian and cycle pathways, CCTV cameras, LED lighting, 3D Zebra crossings, steel furniture etc,” Naidu said, while reviewing the progress of implementation of Smart City plan of the NDMC.

Naidu also suggested setting up digital display screens at all major locations to provide information on traffic flows, including jams, suggested traffic diversions, weather, pollution and other public information. Similar information needs to be disseminated on a continuous basis through FM and Community Radio, Naidu said, adding that whole the NDMC area should be provided with wi-fi support. Directing NDMC officials to fast track execution of the Smart City plan, Naidu said: “The NDMC should ensure a visible impact of smart city development by June next year and the whole smart city plan, approved with an estimated investment of Rs 1,900 crore should be implemented by June, 2018.” Present on the occasion, NDMC Chairman Naresh Kumar informed the minister that so far, smart city projects worth Rs 650 crore are already under implementation and work on the remaining would start in the next few months. He further stated that a few projects have already been completed and about 25 others would be completed by June next year.