Ban on vehicles likely in major markets

In a bid to decongest commercial hubs in the city, the Delhi traffic police are planning a complete ban on vehicular movement in market areas.

In a bid to decongest commercial hubs in the city, the Delhi traffic police are planning a complete ban on vehicular movement in market areas.

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To start with, the traffic police have chosen prominent markets -- South Extension, Lajpat Nagar, Karol Bagh and Sarojini Nagar -- for the plan which will be sent to the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) for approval.

"We are preparing a proposal for the pedestrianisation of markets.We will soon send it to the UTTIPEC for its approval," said Anil Shukla, additional commissioner of police (traffic).

This initiative has been planned to give residents a better shopping experience in the main markets, on the lines of market areas in the West. Once the plan is executed, these would become the first pedestrian-friendly markets in India.

“This would ideally be possible only in the commercial areas, which are either well connected by the metro and other modes of public transport or having adequate parking facilities,” Shukla said.

In the proposal, said sources, traffic police will suggest that drains in the Lajpat Nagar area be covered and parking lots built on these so that shoppers can park their cars there and walk through the market. However, making the South Extension market a no-vehicle zone would be possible only after the proposed metro station in the area becomes operational in a couple of years. Delhi Metro will build foot over-bridges in the area to connect South Ex 1 and 2.

The proposal will factor in other aspects such as provision of parking lots closest to the commercial hubs for those visiting the markets, said sources.