Traders in Connaught Place on Tuesday voiced their opposition to the New Delhi Municipal Council’s proposal to make the commercial hub free of vehicles, threatening to shut shop if the plan was rolled out later this month.
On Tuesday, Connaught Place remained shut from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. in protest against the NDMC’s plan to pedestrianise the Inner Circle and Middle Lanes. Ever since the plan was announced by Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on January 5, the traders have opposed it, saying that their business would suffer if vehicles were banned from Connaught Place.
Apart from shuttering their businesses, the traders carried out rallies along the Inner Circle, carrying placards asking the NDMC to “be logical”. While boards were also put up for people to leave message in support for the New Delhi Traders’ Association’s campaign.
Atul Bhargava, the president of the NDTA, said: “There will be a complete shut-down if the NDMC implements the plan until the draconian measure is revoked. It is detrimental to business.”
The traders said that Connaught Place was already the most pedestrian-friendly commercial centre in Delhi and perhaps India. With 15 feet of covered corridor and 20 feet of walking space, pedestrian movement in Connaught Place was not being hindered by traffic, said the traders in a statement.
If implemented, the NDMC’s plan will do away with parking lots in the Inner Circle and along the Middle Lanes, where currently thousands of vehicles park every day. As per the proposal, visitors would have to park their vehicles at one of the three multi-level facilities in the area and then walk or take an electric vehicle till Connaught Place.
Radhika Backliwal Narain, whose family owns Indian Arts Palace, a showroom that started when Connaught Place was first opened, said that the history of the commercial centre was at stake.
“Connaught Place is known the world-over. Three generations of families have run their shops here. My father is 90 years old. This plan will prevent him from reaching his own showroom, which is where he has worked since he was a young man,” she said.
Another trader, Rippon Nath, owner of the Nath Brothers chemist shop, added that without vehicles, many patients would find it difficult to reach.
“We have many elderly customers as well as cancer patients who come to us for their medications. Are they expected to park at Shivaji Stadium and walk,” asked Mr. Nath.
Apart from the lack of accessibility, traders also questioned the NDMC’s plan over the potential safety hazards.
Priyank Sukhija, who owns several restaurants in the city, including Warehouse Cafe and Open House Cafe in Connaught Place, said the safety of diners leaving at night was a major concern.
“Will the NDMC guarantee the safety of diners? Connaught Place will be deserted if this plan is implemented. This is a case of one man’s ambition versus nearly 100 years of heritage,” said Mr. Sukhija, referring to Mr. Naidu.
