1 day ago
NDMC Seeks Feedback on Vehicle-Free Connaught Place Inner Circle
The New Delhi Municipal Council is asking people whether cars should be kept out of Connaught Place’s Inner Circle for some hours.
The idea would give shoppers, workers and tourists more space to walk.
One suggested schedule is evenings in summer and afternoons in winter.
Another possibility is keeping the area vehicle-free all day.
Some residents want music, art, food carts and other activities there.
Others worry about deliveries, taxis, parking and emergency vehicles.
Older people and people who cannot walk far may need golf carts or battery-operated vehicles.
NDMC will collect suggestions before deciding whether and how to try the plan.
New Delhi Municipal Council Chairman Manoj Dwivedi asked the public whether Connaught Place’s Inner Circle should become vehicle-free.
Suggested schedules include 6 pm to midnight in summer and 11 am to 4 pm in winter.
NDMC is also seeking views on full-day closures, weekend timings and activities for the area.
Residents cited benefits including walking, cultural programmes and performances, but raised concerns about accessibility, deliveries and enforcement.
Connaught Place has previously tested pedestrianisation through Raahgiri and a 2019 trial that retained limited parking access.
- Who
- New Delhi Municipal Council Chairman Manoj Dwivedi and residents providing public feedback.
- What
- A proposal to make Connaught Place’s Inner Circle vehicle-free for selected hours or potentially the entire day.
- Where
- Connaught Place’s Inner Circle in New Delhi.
- When
- Suggested timings are 6 pm to midnight in summer and 11 am to 4 pm in winter; weekend schedules remain undecided.
- Why
- To make the commercial hub more pedestrian-friendly while considering traffic, access, logistics and public-space activities.
Pedestrian and Cultural Benefits
Traffic, Access and Enforcement Concerns
Vehicle restrictions
Pedestrian and Cultural Benefits
Supporters favor closing the Inner Circle during selected hours to create a safer, more walkable public space.
Traffic, Access and Enforcement Concerns
Cautious residents and officials say an all-day closure could interfere with commercial activity, deliveries and logistical requirements.
Public-space activities
Pedestrian and Cultural Benefits
Residents proposed performances, exhibitions, debates, food carts and spaces for artists and local bands.
Traffic, Access and Enforcement Concerns
Without effective regulation, the area could be taken over by hawkers or illegal shops and become less peaceful than intended.
Mobility and access
Pedestrian and Cultural Benefits
Electric golf carts, battery-operated autos and other alternatives could help senior citizens and people with limited mobility.
Traffic, Access and Enforcement Concerns
NDMC would need to resolve questions involving parking, taxis, autos, emergency movement, deliveries and diverted traffic.
Key facts
- Civic body
- New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)
- Current status
- The proposal is open for public suggestions; no fixed plan has been announced.
- Summer option
- Vehicle-free from 6 pm to midnight.
- Winter option
- Vehicle-free from 11 am to 4 pm.
- Other options
- A full-day closure or different weekend timings are also being considered.
- Accessibility proposals
- Residents suggested electric golf carts and battery-operated autos for people who cannot walk long distances.
- Earlier trials
- Raahgiri used selected Sundays for pedestrian activities, while a 2019 trial retained limited vehicle access to parking areas.
Quotes
Manoj Dwivedi
Chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council
“It won't be as smooth and peaceful as you are imagining”
NDTV
“Can we make the inner circle of CP vehicle-free?”
NDTV
Sources
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