DDA to build 33-km dedicated corridor for pedestrians, cyclists

NEW DELHI: Soon, people of South Delhi would enjoy a 33-km dedicated corridor for exclusive use of pedestrians and cyclists. The proposal for “The Delhi Cyclewalk” project was presented to Anil Baijal, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) on Wednesday, September 4.

The corridor will connect the residential areas in South Delhi such as Tughlaqabad, Greater Kailash, Saket and Nehru Place, and will pass through city’s green lungs—Jahapanah forest –and other green spaces. “The idea is to develop a corridor connecting all the green spaces,” said a DDA official.

“It will be a loop around the city and will connect metro stations, bus stands, high density residential areas, business districts, industrial areas, recreational areas and master plan greens to make Delhi a ‘city of connected forests and lakes’,” read the release from Delhi LG office.

According to a senior DDA official, the corridor will be mostly developed on the ground while elevated and underground sections would also come up.

“The idea is to connect and provide people a safer and greener alternative for mobility. The corridor will be planned in such a way that people can just walk or cycle to the nearest metro stations or bus stands. It will pass through the green areas,” said a senior DDA official, requesting anonymity.

He added, “A detailed design plan will be prepared with help from other stakeholders. Once, approved the work will be done in a phased manner.”

DDA is planning to add elevated tracks alongside master plan roads in order to incorporate the corridor in non-residential areas. The project would be eco-friendly as no trees would be cut down for its development. For the smooth execution of the project, DDA would be roping in urban planning experts, Archaeological Survey of India and Delhi government’s forest department officials for assistance.

The concept plan details construction of plazas at regular intervals for people to use the tracks. The plazas will be interlinked and will have facilities like toilets, kiosks, etc. The DDA is working on a similar project, though smaller in scale, in central Delhi to connect the area near Delhi secretariat with Purana Qila and Pragati Maidan, said a senior DDA official.