NDMC must opt for a well-devised strategy

The New Delhi Municipal Council's (NDMC) three-month pilot programme to make the national capital's heart, Connaught Place, vehicle-free is good in intent but lacks a thought-through strategy to tackle the problem of traffic nightmare that has been plaguing the central business region in recent times. Be it any metro city — Delhi Mumbai, Hyderabad or Bangalore — the problem of urban congestion is serious and bound to grow by leaps and bounds in the years to come. Be it a weekday or a weekend or any festival or a public holiday, long traffic snarls have become a daily affair. In light of this, the NDMC has drawn attention to a long-festering problem. Had the solution been properly though about, it could have been a role model for other cities to follow. The municipal council must not resort to ad hoc solutions. While the NDMC’s idea got the ease of acceptance from environmentalists and town planners, traders in and around the region, led by the New Delhi Traders Association, have expressed strong disagreement as they feel they will witness a fall in business. Opposing the NDMC's decision tooth and nail, they called for a complete shutdown of Connaught Place on Tuesday. The NDMC has done a stellar job in taking up the cause of mobility crisis in the capital, but it begs a few questions. First, would not a ban on the entry of vehicles lead to traffic congestion elsewhere in the neighboring areasIJ Second, is there enough parking space available outside to bear the extra pressureIJ Is there a mechanism to ensure the safety of carsIJ Third, even as arrangements have been made for park-and-ride services, but is that sufficientIJ Fourth, would not people prefer to flock to the malls, instead of taking a sun-bath in Connaught Place under the scorching heat, sans their vehiclesIJ

The Times Square mobility plan, which was rolled out in the US in 2009, received scepticism soon after its implementation. like apprehensions raised by traders in Connaught Place, the retailers of Time Square too had their doubts that in winters, no one would enter their shops, given the harsh conditions. As is evident, the New York City administration's plan has seen some progress. There has been a 35 per cent fall in pedestrian injuries. However, challenges remain. For the Connaught Place plan to be successful, pedestrian safety must be of prime importance. Simultaneously, connectivity to the outer and inner circles must be smooth, provision for seating arrangements for the old and kids is a must. More escalators and crossover facilities have to be built. Another option that can be mulled upon is to restrict the entry of vehicles during evening hours. The automobile nightmare is not just limited to contributing to the increased levels of pollution, but it also leads to massive traffic jams. The NDMC must ensure that it does not get consumed by internal strains. Also, it cannot be flippantly planned and executed as the odd-even scheme.