Parking blues to hit CP shoppers soon

Shopping in in the heart of the city is set to get tougher with the reduction of parking space at Connaught Place. The New Delhi Municipal Council is starting redevelopment of the area and for that some parking lots have been removed for construction.

Shopping in in the heart of the city is set to get tougher with the reduction of parking space at Connaught Place (CP).

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The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is starting redevelopment of the area and for that some parking lots have been removed for construction. Traders say parking lots in Outer Circle and Middle Circle have become unmanned, leaving vehicles unguarded.

“Parking lots in CP have a capacity for 4,500 vehicles. Due to the redevelopment work, more than 2,000 parking lots have become unmanned. Also, parking space for 500 vehicles have been removed. The NDMC has promised us that parking space will be restructured but if it’s not done, our business will be greatly affected ,” said Atul Bhargava, New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA).

Traffic police had a meeting with the traders.

“Traders wanted to convert radial number 6 (L block) into an entry point, which was an exit point. They also wanted radial number 7 opposite Barakhamba Road be converted into an exit road,” said joint commissioner of police SN Shrivastav.

“We have asked NDMC to make necessary arrangements and remove parking wherever required to facilitate easy movement of traffic,” he added.

The parking lot at Janpath close to F block, another lot opposite PVR Plaza (K block), and the lot opposite old Nirula’s have been removed. In addition, parking lots of the Outer Circle and Middle Circle have also been partially affected.

For now, shoppers coming to CP will have to park their vehicles at Palika parking or Inner Circle.

“In the Middle Circle, whichever stretch the NDMC will take up for redevelopment, parking will be removed from that part,” added Bhargava.