Fearing loss of business, traders of Connaught Place (CP) have decided to approach Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal against the decision of making the inner and middle circle a vehicle-free zone from February. “This is an impractical decision which will not only cause discomfort to visitors but also affect businesses. We have decided to meet the Chief Minister to voice our objection to the decision and seek his intervention as he is an MlA from New Delhi,” Atul Bhargav, president of New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA), said.
“We will also consider meeting Meenakshi lekhi the lok Sabha member from New Delhi seat and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Chairman Naresh Kumar to voice our concern. CP is a commercial centre not a tourist destination. The moment the inner circle will be made vehicle-free, the outer circle will be choked. We have already seen a demo on the Yoga Day,” he said.
The traders contend that Connaught Place has ample space for pedestrians but less parking area. “The business has already taken a hit post-demonetisation and now this move will make things worse. How many people will park their vehicles at Shivaji stadium or Shankar market and come to CP,” said Satish Sundra, who runs one of country’s oldest toy stores in the area.
The decision to make the middle and the inner circular roads of Connaught Place vehicle-free from February was taken last week at a meeting chaired by Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and attended by officials from the Urban Development Ministry, New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Police.