New Delhi: A recent high-level meeting headed by Municipal Corporation of Delhi commissioner Ashwani Kumar directed the civic body and Delhi Police to fix accountability for the persistent encroachment on the redeveloped main road at Chandni Chowk. The committee, set up on Delhi High Court‘s recommendation in Feb, met on April 3.
In the meeting, attended by the seniormost officials of all relevant agencies, it was decided that effective and sustained action was required to deter vagabonds and drug addicts, so often seen on the stretch and the number and output of such enforcement actions needed to be documented.
“Further, MCD and Delhi Police have been instructed to maintain continuous efforts to remove illegal vendors and hawkers from public roads and pavements, with public servants to be held accountable for any negligence in enforcement,” said the minutes of the meeting, which was submitted to the court on April 9. The MCD commissioner said that issues related to encroachment, sanitation and maintenance were discussed at the meeting.
Locals, however, reported that despite these official directives given at the meeting, the situation remains unchanged, with vagrants and beggars continuing to occupy the central verge. The Chandni Chowk Vyapaar Mandal, representing local traders, also expressed concern at the declining upkeep and sanitation on the 1.4km stretch from Subhash Marg to Fatehpuri Masjid despite the committee’s directions.
“The area has significance not only as a commercial hub but also as a historical landmark that draws hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors. But look at its condition today,” said Sanjay Bhargava, member of the Vyapaar Mandal. “The stone tiles and bollards installed during the redevelopment have turned black due to absence of deep cleaning. Many of them are damaged, bins are flooded with garbage and roads are overrun by rickshaws. One can’t walk with ease due to the chaotic rickshaw movement. Encroachment of the pavement and green central verge is common. You can see the occupants’ clothes hanging on the stone jalis there.”
Bhargava added, “In our petition in the high court, we have emphasised on the deteriorating maintenance in the area redeveloped at such a huge cost.”
The committee felt that food distribution to beggars anywhere on the road should be prohibited to prevent congregation of such people on the stretch. The minutes of the meeting records that enforcement activities were taken against illegal hawkers and encroachments are taken, but the problem was recurrent. “So sanitation on the Chandni Chowk road is to be ensured on a sustained basis. Door-to-door collection of waste from residential units or commercial establishments is to be enforced, along with cleaning up of marketplaces twice a day. The violators, including commercial establishments involved in littering, be penalised as per NGT Orders to enforce civic discipline,” the panel recommended.
A PWD official claimed to be carrying out repairs as and when required and even replacing the damaged bollards or tiles. While MCD also asserted it undertook regular sweeping and garbage collection, on Saturday evening the waste bins were found overflowing while rickshaws were found parked in pedestrian spaces.
To minimise chaos, Delhi govt’s transport department was asked to prepare a traffic plan that would include routes and modes of transport covering the entire Chandni Chowk area. The committee members observed that installing gates at both ends of the main road and placing bollards to limit access to the adjoining lanes was not tenable, given the area’s mixed residential and commercial nature.
In Sept 2021, the road was rejuvenated with the installation of red sandstone and granite pavings, benches, greenery and signage at a cost of around Rs 100 crore.
