Traders of Connaught Place are at their wits’ end. They are certain that the “illogical” decision of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to ban entry of four-wheelers into the inner and middle circles of Connaught Place for three months starting February will hit their businesses hard.
The Pioneer spoke to traders and their association to know their concerns. What worries them the most is the NDMC’s move in “the name of reviving” the area will only promote mall culture and kill their businesses. Traders were unanimous in calling civic agency’s plan to make the area vehicle free zone as an ill-conceived decision that is fraught with miseries for them. The slowdown in the sales post demonetisation has already hit them hard and in the event of this Car Bandi, they fear to lose their only source of livelihood.
Atul Bhargava, the president of New Delhi Traders’ Association (NDTA), said this is a ridiculous move that will take away the interest of traders here. “Connaught Place is a commercial hub which cannot be turned into a tourist destination. We have already lost our business, firstly due to construction of Metro station at Rajiv Chowk and thereafter re-development of this area prior to Common Wealth Games (CWG). This unprecedented move sounds death knell for all of us,” Bhargava said.
A couple of weeks back, NDMC had a meeting regarding the decision where traders opposed the decision, he said, adding that over 500 members, including representatives from major establishments in CP, signed a memorandum stating that they are against the move.
“We are soon going to have a meeting with all stakeholders regarding this, and if need be, we will announce future course
of action, including protest till this draconian decision of the NDMC is withdrawn,” said Bhargava.
Criticising the logic to reduce pollution by the move, many traders were unanimous in condemning this ill-advised decision. They said closing vehicle movement in inner and middle circles will choke outer circle even more as it had happened on June 2 (Yoga Day) when traffic jams at CP from Mandi House, India Gate, Gole market, Baba Kharak Singh Marg and Minto road resulted in 80 per cent loss in businesses.
Manoj Aggarwal, former president of NDTA, said as per the NDMC plan, people who are coming to CP will have to park their vehicles at any of the three multilevel parking lots and take e-rickshaws to reach inner circle.
“But will people who visit the area in luxury vehicles sit in e-rickshaws to reach inner circleIJ They will prefer to visit malls instead. What about those families and people who come out for drive late in the evening to eat ice-creamsIJ They will avoid the idea of visiting Connaught Place altogether once these restrictions are put into place,” lamented Aggrawal.
Paramjeet Kaur, a trader and former vice-president of NDTA, said, “The parking area was already reduced substantially during the CWG redevelopment project. Palika parking is usually full by 11 am, while Baba Kharag Singh Marg parking is too far from the market. No one will park their vehicle on Hanuman Road, Shivaji Stadium, KG Marg and then walk to CP for shopping,”
“Why don’t they experiment at other market places such as Chandni Chowk, Kashmiri Gate, Sadar Bazar, and Karol BaghIJ These areas need pedestrianisation but why to target CPIJ” she asked.
“Our business has already been impacted by demonetisation. Things were looking better with the increase in the cash flow and winter sales in many shops but this decision has come as bolt from the blue to all of us and has left us utterly confused. How will we sustain businesses that may drop by 80 per per centIJ If they experiment with CP like this, our business will be gone forever,” said Vikram Badhwar, a trader at CP’s Inner Circle.
In a caustic criticism, a manager of levis store in D block, who did not wish to be named, said, “If car bandi is implemented, our customers will shift their attention to malls which will result in the reduction of footfall and stores in CP will start closing down. Our only benefit then will be that our rent will reduce but in general our business will be ruined beyond redemption.”