Chandni Chowk to get wider walkways: PWD Proposes Ban On Roadside Parking

New Delhi: There have been too many solutions in the past to decongest Chandni Chowk and redevelop it. Now there is another one. PWD has suggested widening of the pavements on both sides to 2.5 metres and stop roadside parking. Also battery-operated rickshaws shouldn’t be allowed here, the plan suggests. 
    “We are aiming to start work on the project within six months. We have made feasible changes in the existing plan that has been lying in limbo for many years,” said Rajkumar Chauhan, PWD minister. On Wednesday chief minister Sheila Dikshit had held a review meeting with Chauhan and sought expedition of work. 
    The Chandni Chowk redevelopment work was recently handed over to PWD which was earlier with the municipal corporation. 
    Chauhan said the civic body has decided to extend the “heritage look” planned for Chandni Chowk to the perpendicular road connecting Daryaganj and Kauria Pul as well. “We have also decided to change the design of lights and pavements. New designs are closest to Mughal era ones,” he added. 
    The previous plan had suggested creatiing a central verge wherein one side was to be reserved for traffic and the other from pedestrians. Motorized vehicles were not allowed in the area except for school buses, emergency and police vehicles. Cycle rickshaws were only allowed to ply in a dedicated way in the residential and surrounding areas. 
    The old plan had also suggested that one part of the central verge (on Chandni Chowk road) will have special tramps plying from Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid. 
    The new Chandni Chowk will not have any over head electric wires or telephone lines. Sources said both BSES and MTNL, have already submitted their work estimates. “We are aiming to finish all the tender work within next six months,” said Chauhan.

Source: TOI (18 Apr 2013)