Opposing New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)’s ill-conceived plan, over 4,000 traders and their employees in Connaught Place on Tuesday observed a half-day shutdown to protest against the decision to make the Inner and Middle Circle vehicle-free zones. Regular visitors to Connaught Place also joined the protest. Enraged shop-keepers appealed to visitors and patron to be part of their “Save CP” campaign. All the shop owners shut down their shops in support of the traders against the impractical move of the NDMC.
Traders under the aegis of New Delhi Traders’ Association (NDTA) declared that they will fight for their livelihood and will approach the court against this illogical and ill-planned move. Traders have signed the petition and encouraged the CP visitors to support them.
They said, “The need of the hour is to make CP safe for visitors. No car means no carobar.”
NDTA president Atul Bhargva said, “Whatever the proposal NDMC will give us, we will not consider since it is the question of our bread and butter and we will fight it till the plan is completely shelved,” said.
“Since we are the major stakeholders, how can the council impose this scheme without asking us, we will not give up and fight till our last breath,” said Manoj Mohan Agarwal, former president of NDTA.
Meanwhile, sources said that NDMC’s car-bandi decision can be revoked as the council officers are not yet ready with the final blueprint of the plan.
“Today we are 4000 and if they implement the plan, we will be 10,000,” said Agarwal.
“Executing the pedestrainsiation idea in Inner and Middle Circles of CP is completely ill-advised. The NDMC bosses should know that CP is a commercial place, not a heritage site, and people are already happy visiting the place,” said Agarwal.
Another trader said that by making us unhappy, they cannot make this place a Happy zone. “How this will workIJ The officials sitting in NDMC are not realising this.. Who wants to walk in harsh weather conditionIJ” he added.
“The NDMC plan will severely impact our business. We will protest peacefully and will not precipitate the law and order situation. Right from the paanwala to the big showrooms, they will continue protest till the decision is rolled backed,” said a trader, adding “We have been seeking the views of our customers about the NDMC’s plan and none of them are happy.”
NDMC had declared that they will execute this plan from February 20 whereas officials in NDMC said that it could be deferred.
The project was discussed on January 5 this year in a meeting of NDMC officials, chaired by Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu. And it was officially announced that to make Connaught Place area pedestrian friendly, cars and buses will not be allowed in the Inner and Middle circles.
However, traders had opposed the decision, demanding that CP be made crime-free zone rather vehicle free zone.