Connaught Place Vehicle-Free Plan: NDMC Seeks Public Views on Inner Circle

NDMC chief Manoj Dwivedi seeks public suggestions on a vehicle-free Inner Circle at Connaught Place and possible timings for the plan.

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) chairman Manoj Dwivedi has sought public views on managing Connaught Place better. He asked whether the Inner Circle should become a vehicle-free zone.

The proposal aims to make the popular Delhi commercial hub more pedestrian-friendly. Dwivedi raised the idea through a post on X on Thursday.

The Connaught Place vehicle-free plan could allow visitors to walk more freely around the Inner Circle. However, NDMC has not announced a final decision on the proposal.

Possible timings under discussion

Dwivedi suggested different timings for summer and winter. The options include 6 pm to midnight during summers.

For winters, he suggested a vehicle-free period from 11 am to 4 pm. He also asked whether weekends should have different timings.

The NDMC chief invited suggestions on how Central Park and the Inner Circle could be used during these periods. He asked people to share practical and positive ideas.

Public reactions to the proposal

The proposal received several suggestions from social media users. Some supported pedestrianisation and suggested community activities in the area.

One suggestion referred to Gurugram’s Raahgiri initiative. Such events promoted walking, cycling, fitness activities and community participation.

Other users raised concerns about parking and traffic movement. They said authorities would need to manage vehicles around the Outer Circle and nearby roads.

Some suggestions also focused street cleanliness and pedestrian facilities. Others proposed dedicated spaces for street performers and improved public amenities.

Connaught Place has tried pedestrian-only periods

Connaught Place previously hosted pedestrian-focused periods through Raahgiri@CP. The initiative opened the Inner Circle to people on selected Sundays.

Activities included walking, cycling, fitness sessions and street performances. latest proposal could make similar pedestrian use more regular.

The plan would need to consider parking, emergency access and traffic diversion. Public transport and pedestrian movement would also be important factors.

Public toilets to remain open until midnight

In a separate announcement, Dwivedi said timings for 11 public toilets would be extended. The facilities will remain open until midnight.

He said the move responds to people staying in Connaught Place until late. More locations could receive extended timings in future.

The Connaught Place vehicle-free plan remains at the consultation stage. The NDMC is now seeking public feedback before deciding how the proposal could work.

The proposed changes come as Connaught Place continues to attract large crowds throughout the week. The area remains one of Delhi’s busiest destinations for shopping, dining and entertainment.

The Inner Circle often sees heavy movement of cars, taxis, delivery vehicles and pedestrians. A vehicle-free period could give pedestrians more space during busy hours.

However, implementing the proposal would require careful traffic planning. Authorities would need to identify suitable routes for vehicles and emergency services.

Parking is another key issue that could affect the plan. Visitors may need clear information about parking locations around Connaught Place.

The NDMC may also need to coordinate with Delhi Traffic Police before introducing any major traffic changes. Proper diversions could help prevent congestion on surrounding roads.

Public transport could play an important role if the Inner Circle becomes vehicle-free. Metro stations and nearby bus routes could help visitors reach Connaught Place without private vehicles.

The proposal could also create more opportunities for public activities. Central Park and surrounding spaces could potentially host cultural programmes, fitness activities and Cleanliness and public amenities will remain community events.

Street performers and local artists may also benefit from a more pedestrian-focused environment. Dedicated areas could help organise such activities without affecting regular movement.