In keeping with its idea of attracting more users to its subways and to ward off antisocial elements, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), on Thursday, flagged off the first of its six caféterias to be opened in the subways of Connaught Place. The management of the caféteria, which has been opened in the Janpath-Palika Bazar crossing, will also be responsible for the maintenance of the subway.
“It is the NDMC’s responsibility to ensure that these subways remain user-friendly. The increased usage of the subways by people will keep away drug addicts who sometimes visit frequently,” said Jalaj Shrivastava, chairman, NDMC who inaugurated the first-out of the six cafés on Thursday. The civic body proposes to open cafeterias in the other five subways soon, he added. However, the venture is subject to satisfactory performance in the next three months, said Shrivastava.
The proposal to rent out spaces in subways to coffee shops or bakeries by the NDMC in the city’s most busy shopping hub was taken up in July. The civic agency then had decided to open cafeterias in the subways to ensure their proper maintenance. “The proposal was taken up so that people, especially women, feel safe and can use them,” informed Shrivastava.
The civic body has taken up the proposal also to reduce jaywalking on the roads of CP, officials said. “People should use these subways to cross the otherwise busy roads of CP,” added an official. Moreover, the council has decided to let out its subway at Janpath to the Tihar Jail factory free of cost.
“The products of Tihar Jail are very high in quality and people widely use it. Unlike others we won’t charge anything from them. Maintenance along with security and electricity connections will be given by us,” said the official.