Traders in Connaught Place (CP) will hold a meeting on Wednesday in a bid to apprise others traders about the much- hyped vehicle-free plan to convert the ‘heart of city’ into a tourist destination.
New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) is feeling isolated because though they have a major stake in the NDMC and are the highest property tax payers in India yet the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has kept them aloof from the project.
“Bureaucrats are behaving like dictators. The efforts of council should be directed towards facilitating people and others who are connected with the council and not harass them,” said Atul Bhargva, President, NDTA.
The Pioneer made umpteen attempts to meet the NDMC chairman to seek his point of view on the contentious issue but the chairman and secretary NDMC both were tightlipped.
It may be noted that while senior officials in Councils were supporting the idea of ‘Carbandi’ by mentioning pollution as a reason, however, there are no metres of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) installed in the NDMC zone.
Connaught Place, the favorite shopping destination of Indian and foreign visitors, is on the verge of becoming a tourist destination because to NDMC bureaucrats.
It sound bizarre, but if the NDMC bosses are to be believed, that they think that curbing movements of private vehicles in inner and middle circles of CP will help beautify CP and also will help to reduce air pollution of same area.
Further, when asked, why CP is being targeted again and again for peculiar experiments, the council officials say, “The area comes under the NDMC jurisdiction and they will do whatever be in public welfare.”
Moreover, considering the base reading of Mandir Marg pollution check meter (nearest to CP), pollutant levels is always recorded in prescribed limits. Meanwhile, CP visitors on Monday evening vox pop their voices on the decision of NDMC.
Samita Bhadra, a documentary film makers and shopper of ethnic wearable items said, “CP is the ultimate destination for people like us who want Indian wardrobe not just for our casts but for myself too.”
Many shoppers like Bhadra feel that if vehicle free is implemented, they will probably divert to other shopping destinations. Some of them also said, they visit Delhi specially for shopping in CP.