The traffic police plan to build a pedestrian-friendly no-car zone in the heart of the city. The concept of people walking, cycling and playing in Central Delhi may sound unfamiliar to most people, but the traffic police are determined to make the dream come true by the end of this month.
Their concept comprises a 1-km long pedestrian friendly zone where motor vehicles will not be allowed. The no-car zone zone will be open to pedestrians and cyclists during evening hours.
The no-car zone will begin from the Rail Bhawan roundabout and end at the Sunehri Masjid roundabout via Rafi Marg, apart from the stretch between Vijay Chowk and Rajpath. It is based on no-car zones in cities abroad. The entry of vehicles from Rafi Marg will be stopped from 4 pm to 10 pm on weekends and from 7 pm to 10 pm on weekdays.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Shukla said, ?The area can now be utilised by pedestrians to jog, walk, skate and play. People who cannot afford to go to a mall or an expensive restaurant should have a place to visit with their families. An area to enjoy without fear of being mowed down.?
Police have already conducted a successful trial run. ?The trial run is on and we wish to start the project by this month-end. We just need to make some minute changes and we have written to the authorities concerned,? a police officer said. ?We have also provided alternate routes for vehicles.?
To facilitate the pedestrians, police have made arrangements for vendors selling food items near India Gate. An area from Mansingh Road to Janpath on Rajpath has been assigned for hawkers and vendors. Apart from this, special arrangements have been made for parking beyond water channels on both sides of Rajpath. ?People coming from far away places can park their vehicles and enter the zone with their families. Vendors were given a space in the area, considering that people would want to enjoy food items when they come to spend their evenings with families,? a police officer said.
A similar initiative was taken in Gurgaon earlier this month, where a cycling event is held every Sunday to keep one side of a Gurgaon street free of traffic for six hours every week.