NDMC chairman floats plan for vehicle-free Inner Circle at Connaught Place

NDMC Chairman Manoj Dwivedi has sought public views on making Connaught Place's Inner Circle vehicle-free for fixed hours, with suggestions including 6 pm to midnight in summer

Connaught Place, the heart of the national capital, could get a vehicle-free Inner Circle for fixed hours, with NDMC Chairman Manoj Dwivedi seeking public views on turning the busy commercial hub into a pedestrian-friendly space.

"Can we make Inner Circle of CP vehicle-free?" Dwivedi said in an X post on Thursday, asking people to weigh in on the idea of allowing visitors to "walk around freely" in the Inner Circle.

He suggested two possible timings 6 pm to midnight in summer and 11 am to 4 pm in winter while asking whether the area should instead remain vehicle-free throughout the day.

Dwivedi also sought suggestions on how the space could be used when vehicles are kept off the road.

 

"What kind of activities would you prefer in Central Park and Inner Circle during no vehicle slots?" he said, asking for "positive suggestions".

The area has experimented with pedestrian-only periods through "Raahgiri@CP", under which the Inner Circle is opened to people on select Sundays for activities such as walking, cycling, fitness sessions and street performances.

The proposed arrangement could give such pedestrian-focused use a more regular place in Connaught Place, while allowing vehicular movement during the remaining hours.