NEW DELHI: A gazette notification has notified the busy Chandni Chowk Road as 'non-motorised' zone from 9 AM to 9 PM. According to the notification, which was issued on June 14, motorised vehicles will be allowed on the road only during an emergency. Take a look at some of the changes:
No motor vehicle shall be allowed to ply on the main Chandni Chowk Road from Red Fort to Fatehpuri Mosque from 9 am to 9 pm on all days, the gazette notification said.
It may be noted that the 1.3-km stretch has been under redevelopment from December 1, 2018 and was targeted to be completed by November 2020. However, the wok got delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
However, the restrictions shall not be applicable in the case of emergencies, it said, adding that fire tenders, ambulances, hearse van and vehicles carrying pregnant women or patients requiring motorized transport, etc will be allowed to ply on the roads.
Some stretches like HC Sen Marg up to Jubli Cinema Cut (Opposite Gandhi Maidan Parking), Rai Kedarnath Marg towards main Chandni Chowk Road upto T-Point Rai Kedar nath Marg (Town Hall entry road); Kachha Bagh Road including Chandni Chowk Metro Station and Ramjas Sr. Secondary School No.3 up to main Chandni Chowk Road; Shanti Desai Marg towards main Chandni Chowk Road up to T-Point Shanti Desai Marg (Town Hall exit road) and road leading to Bagh Diwar Park up to main Chandni Chowk Road (behind Dangal Maidan Parking) will also be free from restrictions.
Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest and major markets not only in Delhi but also in the country. However, traffic has been a main issue on the busy Chandni Chowk stretch.
Earlier this year, the Delhi government had said that the beautification project of Chandni Chowk has been completed at an estimated cost of Rs 99 crore.
Keeping in view of the current scenario of COVID-19, a meeting was held amongst all major retail markets and suggested that that there should be more strict enforcement of COVID-19 protocols during the day as well rather than just depending on measures like night curfew/weekend curfew and lockdown in Delhi.