Stretch to be redeveloped on lines of  American Road designs, architecture

Jogging, cycling or long walk on the roads of the national Capital is fraught with  danger due to the sheer volume of vehicular traffic. In its bid to ensure safe corridors for pedestrians, morning walkers and joggers, Public Works Department (PWD) has started creating a “separate and safe” lane for pedestrians and Non-Motorised Vehicles (NMVs) from Ashram to Naraina.

Part of the Delhi Government’s dream project “Street scaping, beautification and widening”, the stretch will be completely redeveloped on the standards of American Road designs and architecture.

The main agenda behind this project is to create a pedestrian-friendly road by making the people feel happy with green ambience and

“zero” traffic hurdles while traveling on these roads. The total estimated cost of the redevelopment plan for this stretch is Rs 75 crore, said a Government official.

“The stretch from Ashram to Naraina barring Moolchand to Moti Bagh will be redeveloped, beautified and widened. The stretch will be developed on American standards with an aim to provide a pedestrian-friendly as well as disabled-friendly road. Encroachment and narrow roads are also another issue on this stretch, which will be cleared,” added the official.

As per the official, the proposal was passed by the Government last year but the project could not start due to the imposition of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the Delhi Assembly elections. However, the work on the stretch has started and is expected to be completed by December 2020.

AIIMS to Ashram is one of the identified and selected stretches from the 10 most congested roads of Delhi. Currently on this stretch, the bus stops and pedestrian facilities such as FOBs and subways are in un-designated places, for instance far from the bus stop or very close to ramp of the flyover, which becomes one of the main reasons for accidents.

“Further, during the study of this stretch, the department found that there is no facility for NMV vehicles and pedestrians, termination of service lanes at junctions, parking are very close to intersections which hinder the movements. Moreover, due to the poor condition of the street, barrier-free movement becomes impossible,” said the official.

“Thus, the PWD has decided to beautify and streetscape the roads by giving an aesthetic look and to provide maximum basic facilities to the road users as per the norms of United Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering (UTTIPEC) and pedestrians can walk, jog and cycle without any fear,” said the official.

Under the street-scaping and beautification of roads, the PWD will redesign and provide good infrastructure such as bus stops, separate lane for pedestrians, stands for auto-rickshaws, cycles and e-rickshaws will be created.

The official further said that public toilets, drinking water points, police booths, separate parking for police and emergency vehicles would also be provided. It has been deemed necessary to provide basic amenities to the people and also ensure cleanliness on the stretches.

Separate street vending zones, mohalla clinics, public canteens, maps, traffic signages, green carpeting and seating arrangements will also be developed. Once this project is completed, the outcome would be analysed and new such corridors would be developed in other parts of the city as well, the official said.