CP traders observe half-day shutdown against vehicle-free

Traders in central Delhi's commercial hub Connaught Place today observed a half-day shutdown to protest against the decision to make the inner and middle circle vehicle-free zones.
"CP was closed till 3 PM today as traders want to voice their strong disagreement against the change in traffic and parking planning in the market. We had also invited representatives from various political parties to help us chalk out the future strategy but no one turned up for today's meeting," said Atul Bhargav, President, New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA).
The decision to make the middle and the inner circular roads of CP vehicle-free was announced last month following a meeting chaired by Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and attended by officials of the Urban Development Ministry, NDMC and Delhi Police.

As per the plan, the middle and inner circular roads of CP in the heart of Delhi were to be made vehicle-free from February for three months on a pilot basis, a move aimed at decongesting the area.
However, the plan is yet to take off. The civic body is exploring ways for executing it and negotiations with various stakeholders are going on.