When will pedestrians get some respite?

NEW DELHI: Walking in the Jama Masjid and Red Fort areas can be a nightmarish experience for any pedestrian. Only a regular can traipse through the maze of buses, rickshaws, cars and vendors, and come out unscathed. A streetscaping plan for the Red Fort-Jama Masjid corridor may, however, change this. It places special emphasis on making walking in the area a pleasure and not the ordeal it is at present.MCD officials say that while streamlining vehicular movement is a priority, the onus is on making the stretch safe and enjoyable for those who want to spend some time in the area and soak in its history. "The Jama Masjid and Red Fort are part of our national heritage. The locality is a big draw with both domestic and international tourists despite the maddening traffic and congestion. We are looking at making the experience worth its while," said MCD commissioner Rakesh Mehta. The plan envisages not just wide segregated walkways and curb cuts to make these pathways accessible to all, but also little plazas where some space is available for pedestrians. "These will be like little islands of designated space where people on foot would be able to linger. These small plazas, along the lines of the one outside Dilli Haat, will be created all along the stretch from Delhi Gate to Lothian Bridge," said architect Pradeep Sachdeva, who has prepared the plan for redeveloping the area. But is there enough room to accommodate such indulgences? Sachdeva says there is ample scope to create space. "Take the Daryaganj Chowk for instance. There is a footbridge across Netaji Subhas Marg that is no longer used by pedestrians and a transformer on the Jama Masjid side that occupies precious space. These can be used as a circulation area. The staircases of the bridge jut out on both sides. Encroachments have mushroomed along them. The transformer, too, is a secondary facility that can be shifted to an area where space is not at such a premium," adds Sachdeva. Similarly, plazas can also be created in front of Red Fort and the approach to Meena Bazar. "Traffic-calming devices like rumble strips and graded speed-breakers at regular intervals will ensure that traffic operates at a manageable speed. Pathways can be grade-separated to prevent any breach into pedestrian space. The stark contrast of colour can be used to highlight zebra crossings," pointed out Sachdeva.