New Delhi: Connaught Place’s Inner Circle will go car-free on Oct 4, with New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) planning to organise various street activities featuring community participation.
The event, ‘ Raahgiri Day ’, will host a live performance by popular rock band Euphoria at Central Park from 7 am to 10 am. Opposing the event, New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) claimed that its earlier versions resulted in multiple incidents of violence, damage to property, traffic chaos and severe loss of business due to vehicular restrictions. An alleged incident of stabbing was also reported to police, highlighting a serious law and order issue. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in Delhi Stay updated with the latest Delhi news.
Organised by Raahgiri Foundation, Delhi Traffic Police and Fit India, in association with NDMC, Sunday’s event aims to transform CP’s Inner Circle into a people-first public space, with vehicles making way for pedestrians and cyclists, officials said. In the past, the event also resulted in people littering all over the place,” NDTA general secretary Vikram Badhwar said, adding that such activities should ideally be hosted in non-commercial zones. “CP is fundamentally a business and commercial district, not a cultural or recreational hub,” stated the association in a petition submitted to NDMC and Delhi Police on Sept 28. Restricting traffic on a Sunday affects the smooth flow of supplies to restaurants and cafes that handle high footfall during weekend lunch hours, Badhwar said. Police said they did not receive any letter in this matter from traders.
It will also feature local cultural performances, sports and fitness activities, street art events, interactive workshops and activities focused on youth participation, civic engagement and environmental stewardship. It will also highlight sustainable mobility and clean air. “Unruly crowds attending the event smashed glass panels and windows of showrooms, and damaged shop fronts and fixtures. The gathering of a large, mixed crowd could lead to eve-teasing and misbehaviour by criminals. NDMC officials didn’t comment on the traders’ apprehension. Download the TOI App.