The long pending demand of the residents of the Chitranjan (CR) Park for better road and infrastructure will finally be addressed as the Public Works Department (PWD) has planned to ‘Redevelop Bipin Chandra Pal Marg’-infamous for regular traffic jams, congested parking and also being non-pedestrian friendly. 

The Resident Welfare Association (RWA) of CR Park, home to Bengali community have been demanding for a proper model to address the pressing issues such as daily traffic jams, parking and better pedestrian friendly pathways and connecting roads.

“Having studied the demands of  the CR Park RWA, the civic authority has decided to re-develop the lane and the financial sanction for the same has been granted,” said a senior PWD official.

The estimated budget of the re-development of Bipin Chandra Pal Marg of CR Park is Rs 3,54,53,300. “The main issue in this place is parking, frequent traffic jams, improper roads and no footpath and proper signals for the pedestrians. Moreover, the stretch falls on the main road which attracts a heavy footfall as there are banks, coaching centres and other commercial activities.

People just park their vehicles on the road, especially on the footpaths creating chaos for both the pedestrians and other commuters with traffic jams,” the official said adding that the department has got the financial approval and are working on design and the layout plan of the area.

“Under the new plan, a separate parking, footpath, cycle tracks, zebra cross, electric poles, chairs and benches on the foothpath, light lamps for the footpaths’ and lights on roads will be installed. Besides, the Street scaping, beautification, widening and strengthening of roads and repairing of pavements, footpaths, decongestion of intersections, improving of road geometry and safety, smooth and accessible paths to persons with disabilities will be developed,” said the official.

“While giving a new look to the stretch, the PWD will also encourage the use of non-motorised vehicles, public transport and walking on feet, more amenities, user-friendly roads, fun and a better quality of life and a sense of well being for pedestrians and commuters”, the official added.

Besides, CR Park, the PWD is also re- developing other roads  prone to congestion and road accidents. These stretches are Sewadham Road from road No.-63 to UP Border, Shivdaspuri Marg and Patel Road (from Moti Nagar T-Point to Pusa Road about), 2.3 kilometres Narwana Road Mother Dairy to Punch Mahal Niwas, Ring Ring Road from Mayapuri to Moti Bagh Junction, Satguru Ram Singh (Road no. 36) Marg from Mayapuri Chowk to SD Public School,  Britannia Chowk to Outer to Ring Roads, West Enclave, Pritampura, Road no.41and 41-A from Wazirpur Depot Crossing (NSP) to Rithala Metro Station.

It is also to be noted that the Delhi Government has allotted around approximately Rs, 450 crores in the 2018 budget for the street scaping, beautification and re-development of most congested roads of Delhi.

The official further said these are the roads where safe pedestrian crossings, footpaths, refuges and missing road markings, signage and signals and very poor road geometries need to be addressed to.

“PWD in its survey found that in these roads there is not facility for NMV vehicles and pedestrians, termination of services lanes at junctions, parking are very close to intersections which hinder the movements. Moreover, due to the poor condition of the street, kerbs and street furniture’s the barrier free movement becomes impossible,” said the official.

Under the street scaping and beatification of roads, the PWD will redesign and provide good infrastructure such as bus stops, separate stands for Auto-rickshaw and cycle and E-rickshaw will be created.

The official further added that public toilets, drinking water points, police booths, separate parking for police and emergency vehicles, kisosks for street vending zones, mohalla clinics, Aam Aadmi Canteens, maps and signages, plantation, seating arrangements and community libraries will be developed, he added.