Delhi High Court wants traffic, parking plan for Chandni Chowk revamp
NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over possible traffic problems in Chandni Chowk in light of the redevelopment project, the Delhi high court has directed all stakeholders concerned to submit a traffic management plan and a timeline for the Dangal Maidan and Gandhi Maidan parking projects by December 14.
The court on Thursday directed the public works department (PWD) to adopt all safety measures, including barricading, lighting and signages, on the lines of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation while executing the project.
Nodal officers of the Chandni Chowk Redevelopment Project will meet on December 14 to discuss the plan. The redevelopment of the Mughal-era market is being monitored and implemented under the court’s directions.
“At the next meeting of the chief nodal officer on December 14, the finalised traffic management plan, which is going to be operational during the construction activity, as well as the plan that will be operational post construction, should be tabled and discussed … the court directs that the conceptual plan (of Dangal Maidan parking) should be ready positively by December 13. The next meeting of the nodal officers will be held on December 14 on which date the said plan will be discussed and definite timeline (to be) decided for completion of the (parking) project,” the court’s December 6 order said.
Delhi PWD minister Satyendar Jain, while laying the foundation stone of the project, had said on Friday that a multilevel parking would be built at Dangal Maidan near Chandni Chowk to accommodate 1,500 cars.
The court expressed concern that the North Delhi Municipal Corporation did not submit a timeline regarding the Gandhi Maidan parking when the chief nodal officer last met on November 29. It directed the civic body to “present a report, setting out definite timelines for the completion of various stages of the Gandhi Maidan parking” at the next meeting on December 14.
Under the redevelopment plan, only non-motorised vehicles will be allowed on the stretch between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Mosque. No motorised vehicle would be allowed to ply between 9 am and 9 pm. The estimated cost of the redevelopment project is ₹65 crore. The stretch will have dedicated 5-metre-wide footpaths on both sides and a 3.5-metrewide central verge where all transformers, police booths, toilets, drinking water ATMS and trees will be accommodated.
During court proceedings on December 6, power discom BSES, which provides electricity in the area, had said it was yet to get Rs 5 crore to commence its part of the work. The chief nodal officer assured the court that ₹4 crore would be released within a week to enable BSES to immediately allot work to its contractors.