City planners, heritage experts give thumbs up

Urban planners and heritage activists have welcomed the government’s move to pedestrianise middle and inner circular roads of Connaught Place, while suggesting boosting of parking infrastructure and deployment of rickshaws and e-buses for ferrying commuters. “The move to make Connaught Place friendly for pedestrians is a good initiative but needs to be executed with proper planning. From the heritage perspective, it’s a wonderful news, as people would now be able to admire the architectural grandeur of this iconic building complex. “But, care must be taken by the government to provide alternative modes of transport, like e-rickshaws or compact electric buses, so that the decision doesn’t become an inconvenience for commuters,” noted conservation architect and town planner, AGK Menon, former convener of INTACH Delhi Chapter said. Well-known heritage activist Sohail Hashmi says “it’s a fantastic initiative” that will help bring back the “glory of CP” and inculcate walking habit among people.