Plan for more CP subways stays

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011




Connaught Place traders on Monday met with NDMC officials to sort out issues related to starting work on the CP redevelopment plan. While the civic agency has agreed to allow parking in the Middle Circle, it is unwilling to compromise on its plan to construct more subways in the area, according to officials. The work of barricading the area is likely to begin by Monday night with some work already having started in CP.

"We had a meeting with senior officials in NDMC to sort out issues and went around CP to work out the best alternatives to avoid any traffic mess in the area. Some of our suggestions, including allowing parking in the Middle Circle, have been agreed to. NDMC will also look into providing one slot of parking in the Radial area. Initially, work will begin in six blocks - A, B, C, G, H and K - and the Regal and P-blocks. This work is likely to finish in eight months after which work will start in the other six blocks - D, E, F, L, M and N. We have also asked NDMC to reconsider its plans of constructing more subways. The existing five subways are hardly used and are not properly maintained,'' said president of New Delhi Traders Association, Atul Bharghav. The traders have asked NDMC to hire an independent agency to assess if there is any requirement for more subways in CP.

According to NDMC officials, however, while the agency is willing to look into all suggestions made by NDTA, it will go ahead with construction of eight more subways. "We are willing to explore all options to avoid any inconvenience but will go ahead with our original plan of constructing subways in CP,'' said an NDMC official. The civic body has already started work of opening the Panchkuian Radial Road.

NTDA said the new barricading plan will leave 50% space for traffic in the Middle Circle as opposed to the earlier plan under which almost 80% of the space would have been taken up.

In phase-I NDMC will start work on four subways at Panchkuian Road and Barakhamba Road. Work of constructing the service corridor will also begin in Middle Circle and at four radial roads. All the radial roads will be partially open at all times. In phase-II the civic agency will take up work of constructing four more subways and service corridor work will be taken up along three more radial roads. General beautification and remaining façade restoration work will also be taken up.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Plan-for-more-CP-subways-stays/articleshow/7255210.cms#ixzz1Aukq6P5S