Sadar Bazar may be vehicle-free soon

Gurgaon: The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) is planning to pedestrianise Sadar Bazar from August 15, despite failing at least twice in its trial runs to convert the heavily-congested market into a vehicle-free zone. The final decision will be taken in a meeting scheduled with stakeholders on Tuesday.
The project will be carried out under the “streets for people” initiative launched by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs. The pedestrianisation of Sadar Bazar’s main street will be MCG’s entry for the initiative.
MCG officials said besides cars, two-wheelers too won’t also be allowed to ply on the main street. During the first trial too, MCG had put restrictions on the entry of two-wheelers, but after traders objected to the move, the civic body was forced to give in to their demands and allow entry.
“It will no longer be a trial. We’re planning to make the 600m-long main street of Sadar Bazar vehicle-free. This time, we won’t allow two-wheelers and will designate parking for them. We plan to start on Independence Day. We have also constituted a seven-member committee to make a comprehensive plan for the development of the area,” said Jitender Garg, MCG joint commissioner-2. The committee will make the street motorised vehicle-free and create space for pedestrians and cyclists.
MCG conducted its first trial for the project in March and second in the first week of April. In the trial, it had allowed only two-wheelers in the market and designated parking space for cars. The entry of cars was restricted on the main road extending from the post office to Jama Masjid. The stretch was beautified by plants and benches were also installed. The civic body had planned to deploy volunteers in the second phase, but the plan could not be executed due to lockdown.
Traders, meanwhile, have raised objections to the plan of banning two-wheelers. “We have all kinds of shops here and it is not feasible for visitors to carry heavy loads to the parking area. We support the project, but two-wheelers should be allowed for the convenience of the public,” said Roshan Lal, a trader.
Another shopkeeper echoed his concerns. “We need permission for our two-wheelers at least since we have to deal with cash transactions and it is not safe to go to the parking lot carrying cash,” said Sumit Narang, a trader.