Decongesting CP will not be a cakewalk
VEHICLEFREE ZONE NDMC believes pedestrianisation of certain areas, especially market places, is an effective way to decongest them
NEW DELHI: If one goes by the Smart City project for Delhi, then three years from now Connaught Place is all set to be the ‘Times Square’ of India with high-end digital screens and a pedestrianised inner and middle circle. Go a little further, and the plan also involves making Khan Market and other major shopping hubs in Central Delhi ‘no-vehicle zones’.
On Wednesday, Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that the agency must make other markets no-vehicle zones too.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) which is implementing the project believes that pedestrianising certain areas, especially market places, is an effective way to decongest them.
“It increases the sense of safety in people as well. Besides, take CP for example – the entire hub sees more cars than it can actually take,” said Naresh Kumar, chairman, NDMC.
The civic agency said vehicles can be parked in the outer circle and at Palika. It is also mulling to give incentives to users who park in at the automated parking lot in Baba Kharak Singh Marg.
The problem, however, lies in implementing the same for other markets. HT has found that so far there is no concrete plan to completely pedestrianise Khan Marketandothers.“TheplanforKhan Market was to convert the front parking area into a green space for the public and build a multi-level parking. Technically, the walking area would remain the same as it is now,” informed an official. The plan has been in limbo since 2014.
The traffic police feels that the move to pedestrianise CP is doable. But when asked about the same for Khan Market, they said it would require detailed planning about parking. “We are aware of the plan for CP, but have not received any proposal for Khan Market yet from NDMC. But, it is to be seen if other stakeholders, the traders, would agree to such plans,” said Garima Bhatnagar, Joint CP (Traffic)
Refusing to agree the plan, traders in Khan Market, which houses cafes, restro-bars and shops said the move would further reduce their clientele.
“NDMC and traffic police should rather focus on curbing vehicles which go via the market to go to Golf Links, Sunder Nagar and so on. Besides, Khan Market is not so big a place where battery-operated vehicles could ply. So if it is pedestrianised, then all the elderly, expats, diplomats would stop coming as cars will be parked far away and hawkers will start encroaching,” said Khan Market Traders Association president, Sanjeev Mehra.
Traders of CP said the plan to pedestrianise the inner circle has been going on almost for a decade now. “We will never agree to it. CP has a mix crowd.Where will people park their cars as all the existing parking lots are completely packed,” said New Delhi Traders Association president, Atul Bhargawa. The process, which was initiated in 2009, resulted in 63% dip in injuries to motorists and 35% reduction in injuries to pedestrians. 74% New Yorkers said that Times Square had improved dramatically with the changes.
Groningen has been called the “World Cycling City” because 57% of journeys within the city are made by bicycle. The city is very much adapted to the wishes of those who want to get around without a car, as it has an extensive network of segregated cycle-paths, good public transport, and a large pedestrianised zone in the city centre.
With its redevelopment project completed in July 2003, the north terrace of the vibrant area was pedestrianised. The square is now linked to the National Gallery. The changes also included a cafe, public toilets and a lift for the disabled.
It is UK’s first pedestrianised shopping centre, officially opened by the Queen in 1959. The area has a clock tower, an ornamental pool and a mother and child sculpture known as ‘Joyride’.
It is a pedestrian car-free shopping area in Denmark.People have found it an attractive spot to engage with each other.