New Delhi Municipal Council, traders’ body discuss CP revamp

NEW DELHI: With less than three-and-a-half months left for the completion of the Connaught Place redevelopment project, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and New Delhi Traders’ Association (NDTA) held a special review meeting on Wednesday.
NDTA discussed problems faced by traders due to the ongoing work and suggested some changes in the original plan.NDMC officials say the suggestions made by NDTA will be discussed with the chief designer and necessary changes will be incorporated.
In the meeting, NDTA stressed on the need to construct narrow footpaths in the middle circle. As per the present plan, NDMC is constructing 7-foot wide footpaths on both sides of the middle circle. “It is pointless to construct such wide footpaths on both sides of the road. Nobody is going to use these footpaths. Moreover, this will reduce our parking space. As it is there is a serious parking problem in the area. And with the construction of these footpaths, there is going to be a parking mess in Connaught Place,’’ said Atul Bhargava, president of NDTA.
Another suggestion by NDTA was to do away with the proposed sitting arrangement in outer circle and radial roads. “They have constructed concrete benches in the inner circle. These benches are mostly used by hawkers to sell their goods. There is no point in making a similar arrangement in Outer circle and radial roads,” said Bhargava. The traders association also pointed out that wire loops are protruding from the flooring.
When contacted, NDMC official said, “The project is for their (traders) benefit. We have to take into account their concerns. We have heard their suggestions and would discuss it with the designer of the project. If it is feasible, we will incorporate the changes.”