Chandni Chowk traffic congestion: Delhi HC pulls up DDA

The Delhi High Court today pulled up the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for its failure to devise a smooth traffic mechanism in its Zonal Development Plan for creation of non-motorised vehicle lanes in the congested Chandni Chowk area here.
"With an enormous rise in volume of traffic movement, you cannot do a cut and paste job. It is your duty to facilitate the traffic movement without conflict," a bench headed by Justice S Ravindra Bhat said.
"Road space is democratic and everybody needs to have space on it. How can you draw a plan which is unmindful of the developments in transportation," the court said.

The special bench, also comprising Justice S Muralidhar, directed senior advocate A S Chandhiok, who is appearing for the Delhi government, to come out with an effective development plan to decongest the traffic.
The court has now fixed July 30 as the next date of hearing.
The court was hearing a PIL, filed by NGO Manushi Sangathan in 2007, seeking directions to ensure redevelopment of the Chandni Chowk area.
Earlier this year, the government had submitted a proposal to ban motorised vehicles from the main road in Chandni Chowk and start a tram system for the convenience of pedestrians.
There are so many pedestrians on the road, and there are lanes branching out of the main road. A tram service will neither be safe for pedestrians nor will it be financially viable, advocate Indira Unninayar, for the NGO, had said.