NEW DELHI: The ambitious project of
pedestrianising Chandni Chowk has finally started moving after
approval of the
LG-chaired UTTIPEC last month. Delhi government’s
public works department, which will be executing the project, organised the
first meet of all stakeholders and finalised the detailed timeline of the works that need to be done by each department.
The project is estimated to be completed by June 2019. The groundwork will start after the festive season in December this year. Coordination meetings will now be held after every 15 days. “We will call the tenders by September 30 and work will be awarded by November 30,” a senior PWD official said.
UTTIPEC has approved two plans proposed by architect Pradeep Sachdeva Associates. “Out of the two layout options, the first option of a 3.5 metres central verge will be undertaken with necessary modifications,” a senior PWD official said.
The 3.5m central verge will have all utilities, including transformers, police booths, etc on it, while there will be a 5.5m carriageway on both sides and footpaths of 5-10m on the northern side and 5.5-11m on the southern side. The carriageways will be used by non-motorised vehicles between 9am and 9pm. The second option has wider footpaths in front of Town Hall and Fountain chowk.
Sanjay Bhargava, president of
Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, said that the progress of the project is being monitored by the court and deadlines will have to be strictly adhered to. He suggested that PWD remove the existing bituminous layer to restore the original level of the road. “We will also install heritage streetlights matching the character of the street,” said a PWD official.
An aerial view of Chandni Chowk.
