Connaught Place visitors are not happy with "bizarre" idea of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to turn a commercial place into "vehicle free" zone. Many visitors were cross with the very idea of walking all the way to shop and dine by parking their vehicles at parking lots near Shivaji Stadium.
Despite having the list of congested places in Delhi, the council is only focusing on to beautify CP and making all its experiments in the heart of city without taking care of the highest tax payers (the traders) and the visitors to CP, said sources.
Jignisha Bhambre, a civil engineer, said, "CP is an iconic place. Walking and shopping in CP corridors are entirely different from big shopping malls. What you do not get in shopping malls, you will get here. From kitchen cutlery to books, one can get everything here." Jignisha is unhappy with the very concept of carbandi being enforced in the inner and middle circle of CP.
"It will be quite painful for me to park my car near Shivaji Stadium and to reach the inner circle in an e-rickshaw or electric bus," said Jitin, one of the frequent visitors.
When asked how the ride would be difficult, he said, "During rainy seasons, park and ride services will not work and buyers cannot manage themselves with luggage in e-rickshaw and in the summer, it would not be advisable to take ride in e-rickshaw in scorching heat."
Another regular vistor to CP said, "If council really wants to beautify the area, then they should first clean the marks of ugly betel stains on iconic walls."
An employee of a parking lot opposite to Sbarro restaurant said, "I believe, piling of vehicles can create menace in CP, especially during rainy and summer days.”
Shinaya Aggarwal, another CP visitor said, "In weekends, I visit CP with my friends and family. Will council ensure our safetyIJ Or will they provide police security for us during rush hours.”