GDA starts construction work on 'vehicle-free zone' in RDC

Ghaziabad: Aiming to decongest one of the biggest shopping hub of the city, the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) on Wednesday started construction work to make Rajnagar District Centre (RDC) area a 'vehicle-free zone'. Officials said that the move will not only end traffic woes but will also benefit pedestrians visiting the area.

As per a senior GDA officer, the first phase construction involves conversion of a 500 meters strech of road in front of Gaur Mall into a vehicle free zone.

"GDA had interchanged the land use of two plots in RDC area of size 2800 square meters each. One of these plots will be developed and used for surface parking for about 120 vehicles. The other plot will be developed as park and will have beautification with separate areas for senior citizen, children and public," said Asheesh Shivpuri, GDA's chief architect & town planner (CATP).

The officer further said that the project got delayed due to the ban on construction activities in view of the severe pollution in Ghaziabad and Delhi-NCR region.

"Earlier we have invited public objections in connection with the exchange of two plots which were disposed off and the two plots were interchanged. We have started with the first phase of construction work from Wednesday and will restrict entry of vehicles on a 500 meters stretch of road by placing barriers on both the sides. The project will cost a total of Rs 6 crores and we expect that it will be ready within next three to four months," added Shivpuri.

GDA had earlier proposed construction of a Multi-level parking in RDC area but the cost quoted by the companies who showed interest was very high so as for now the authority decided to settle with surface parking only.

Spread across an area of 20 acres, the RDC which caters mall, showrooms, banks, retail outlets and prominent food chains draws a huge crowd and vehicles but the roads are mostly spilled with vehicles with pedestrians facing problems to even walk through. This is mostly because of irregular traffic movement and haphazard parking. The authority will not only put in efforts to make RDC a vehicle free zone but will also work towards beautification of the area.