Almost four years after the state government finalised an action plan to decongest Chandni Chowk, work is yet to take off.

The plan emphasises on decongesting the current traffic chaos and increasing pedestrian walking space by restricting vehicular traffic. But the chaos on the road remains the same as ever — with passenger vehicles, trucks, tempos, horse-carts and the banned cycle-rickshaws clogging up roadspace.

The plan was initiated in May 2004 by then State Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf, who was worried about the continuing decline in trade due to congestion.

The idea was to reduce traffic in the most congested areas by introducing the “park-and-ride” concept.

Under it, the traders, locals and visitors were to park their private vehicles at Asaf Ali Road or Mori Gate and proceed in the six-seater eco-friendly autorickshaws that were to be introduced.

“But the park-and-ride facility has not been started as the other work related to the scheme is yet to be completed,” said Yusuf.

Under the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Plan, the roads in Old Delhi had to be widened, including the existing 3.5 metre lanes. But the plan is still awaiting clearances. “We have been asking the Chief Minister to let the Shahjahanbad Redevelopment Corporation begin work at the earliest,” said Yusuf.

“But even after clearances, the implementation of the plan will take time,” said Vijay Singh, MCD Deputy Commissioner, city zone. “So for now, parking facilities have been made available at the Ramlila Ground, Asaf Ali Road and Mori Gate. But nobody cares about rules.”

... contd.