Overview
- NDMC chairman Manoj Dwivedi on Thursday asked residents, traders and visitors for suggestions on keeping the Inner Circle of Connaught Place vehicle-free and floated seasonal timing options.
- He proposed running the zone from 6 pm to midnight in summer or 11 am to 4 pm in winter and also asked whether full-day pedestrianisation should be considered.
- As an immediate, small pilot the civic body extended operating hours for 11 public toilets in Connaught Place up to midnight to support later visitor use.
- Traders’ associations have strongly opposed closures, saying past trials cut footfall, pushed traffic onto the Outer Circle and would harm showroom access and deliveries.
- Supporters want cultural programming and staged pilots, and officials say any lasting change will need tested solutions for parking, timed deliveries, emergency access and mobility for elderly or disabled visitors.