The Hindu : New Delhi News : Recommendations of road institute accepted

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 10, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Recommendations of road institute accepted

Staff Reporter

Decision to reduce congestion in Delhi's Chandni Chowk area

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Government with its latest decision to bring in environment-friendly CNG mini-buses to the congested Chandni Chowk area of the Capital is implementing one of the many suggestions made by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) to give back to the old city its lost glory.

"The Government has accepted all the recommendations made by the CRRI," says Deepak Choudhry, Officer on Special Duty to the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Ocean Development.

This could see other suggestions like restricting the use of cycle-rickshaws in the area also come into place gradually.

In its report on "Transport Systems Management Plan for Chandni Chowk Area" submitted to the Government in 2005, the CRRI had listed out various measures to be taken to make the old shopping area accessible and pedestrian-friendly. Introducing CNG mini buses was one of the main recommendations made by CRRI.

"Cycle-rickshaws are another major cause of congestion in Chandni Chowk," said K. Ravinder, scientist at CRRI. To reduce congestion in the area, the report suggested restricting the use of cycle-rickshaws to the side roads in Chandni Chowk.

In the area used by over one-lakh passengers every day, the CRRI found the parking lots spilling over with two-wheelers and four-wheelers. It has recommended building of multi-storey parking facilities at Meena Bazaar and Parade Ground to accommodate 5,000 cars and 5,000 two-wheelers.

"There is also a need to remove the electric transformers and hawkers that cause obstructions in the carriageway," said Dr Ravinder.

To make Chandni Chowk pedestrian-friendly, the CRRI report also suggested that delivery and pick-up of goods be restricted to a few hours in the day.

It was also recommended that the speed limit of 30 km per hour be strictly adhered to by all vehicles and carriageway and footpaths should be designed to give priority to pedestrians. The CRRI has taken care to ensure that no major alteration is done.

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