With the intention of banning entry of vehicles to Connaught Place (CP), the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has put a ‘No Entry’ board at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, while implementing a few changes in the entry and exit routes for vehicles in the Inner and Outer Circle. The council may impose its much-criticised “Vehicle-Free Zone” plan although the officials have refused to speak on record.
Major changes have been made by the council to make CP a car-free zone. From limited entry ways to the Inner Circle to ban on right turn, the traffic has been completely regulated by the council.
Recently, the NDMC had put various boards in the heart of Delhi to regulate the entry and exit of commuters to the Inner Circle. For instance, commuters can enter CP from Janpath, Plaza and Super Bazar, but the entry to the Inner Circle is prohibited from Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Barakhamba Road and Panchkuian Marg.
Earlier, the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD ) had ordered the NDMC to make the Inner Circle and Middle Circle a Vehicle-Free Zone. The council had intended to impose this idea from February 1, but had to put its plans on hold due to protests by traders.
“The council wants to implement the idea of pedestrian-only road but the traders are not with us. As of now, we have no information on this although the meetings with the Urban Development Minister have taken place,” said a NDMC officer.