The much awaited redevelopment plan to decongest Chandni Chowk initiated on Saturday got mixed reactions with old traders protesting against the project claiming the plan will “severely” affect their business. However, there are many who have welcomed the move.

The transforming old Delhi plan is about the shifting of utilities on road between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Old mosque. At time when the work has been started on the direction of the High Court, the old traders of the area marked their protest and said this plan will change the outlook of the walled city.

“There is an essence of Mughal era and, we, the trades have built this area. Chandni Chowk is known tourist place and oldest market hub in India. This plan will definitely transform the area,” said Puneet Goel, an old trader and resident. The old traders’ association has called a joint meeting on Monday in which the political representatives of both BJP and Congress will be present.

Speaking to The Pioneer, AAP MLA Alka Lamba and one of the directors of Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) said the Public Works Department (PWD) under the Delhi Government started this project on the direction of the High Court. “The plan was initiated in May 2008 but due to lack of vision, it could not be implemented on ground.

On the direction of National Green Tribunal (NGT), the AAP has initiated the project after consulting all major stakeholders, from Delhi Traffic Police to Delhi Jal Board (DJB).”

When asked the redevelopment plan will have impact on business, Lamba said, “Yes! Initially, traders will face the problem but later they will feel changes.”

“The court has given us deadline of December 6 to submit complete project report,” she said.

Incidentally, as per the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (planning & engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) plan, 1.5 km stretch starting from Red Fort to Fatehpuri mosque will be transformed for pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles and there will be no vehicular traffic permitted from 9 am to 9 pm.

However, only non-motorised transport (NMVs), for instance — cycle rickshaw and e-rickshaw will be allowed.

Sanjay Bhargava, president of Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, said the redevelopment plan will help in the beautification of the area. “Due to traffic congestion, pollution level always remain above 500, with no vehicular movement in the designated area, visitors’ movement will be easy.”

‘Only some traders have issue as they want to do politics, the work has been started and locals want to see this area developed. This plan will not impact on the businesses as workers are allowed for loading and unloading on rickshaws.” “I am happy the plan has finally started which was in planning stage nearly a decade,” said Bhargva.

In this redevelopment project, BSES and DJB are the major agencies, in first phase - from December 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019 - BSES will construct ducts and required infra for shifting of transformers and moving overhead cables underground. As per the UTTIPEC plan, 5.5 m wide carriageway on the both sides with a central verge, there will be a footpath along northern and southern carriageway of 5.75 m and 12.75 m wide respectively.

In second phase - from December 15, 2018 to April 30, 2019 - the DJB will carry out work of installation of water pipelines and sewer and after this construction of pedestrian zone and developmental of central verge will start.

According to Delhi Traffic advisory for the UTTIPEC project - the vehicles coming from Delhi Gate and intending to go to Chandni Chowk will be diverted on SP Mukherjee Marg. These vehicles may be parked in the parking lots of Gandhi Maidan (HC Sen Marg), Dangal Maidan (SPM Marg) Church Mission road parking.

The traffic advisory has been prepared by DTP on the assessment done by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in 2015 on the vehicular movement in Chandni Chowk area.

The advisory further mentioned the vehicles destined for Gandhi Maidan parking will have to take compulsory U-turn from the cut on the HC Sen Marg opposite PS Kotwalia and no vehicle will be allowed beyond this cut towards fountain Chowk.

“No Vehicle will be allowed to parked on the road side between Bankhandi Mandir (opposite old Delhi Railway station) to Town Hall and entry of vehicle will not allowed from SPM marg towards Townhall,” the DTP advisory said.