No more Chandni choked

Shoppers visiting Chandni Chowk can now look forward to a hassle-free ride, reports Moushumi Das Gupta.

Shoppers visiting Chandni Chowk can now look forward to a hassle-free ride. The Delhi government on Monday cleared the much-hyped decongestion plan for Chandni Chowk. As per the proposal, thirty CNG-propelled minibuses will be introduced in the area, which would ply on the two main routes in the Walled City.

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Cycle rickshaws would not be allowed in the zone during the rush hour (between 9 am and 8 pm). There will be a speed limit of 30 km/hr on the entry roads and the area will get a new parking plan. "Fifteen minibuses would ply on Chandni Chowk and Church Mission roads in the first phase. The fare has been fixed at Rs five per trip. Based on the feedback, fifteen more buses would be introduced on the route later," an MCD official said.

Aimed at reducing traffic congestion and providing safe passage to pedestrians, the minibuses would be painted green to highlight the need for environment-friendly transportation in the Walled City. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi will also upgrade the Chandni Chowk carriageway to facilitate better pedestrian movement. "We will also construct parking garages at Gandhi Maidan, Meena Bazar and the Red Fort Parade ground. Two parking bays for goods vechile will also be constructed for loading and unloading at Nai Sarak and Ballimaran," the official added.