The Indian Express 14.09.2009
CP to get eight new subways
In a bid to make Connaught Place and its surrounding areas pedestrian friendly, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has decided to construct eight new subways in the Outer Circle, besides redeveloping the existing subways before next year’s Commonwealth Games.
Engineers India Limited, the consultant company hired by NDMC for its CP redevelopment project, invited bids last month for work on the subways. According to a senior NDMC official, three bids have been shortlisted but the civic body is yet to decide who will be awarded the tender.
According to the proposal, a road level pedestrian subway will be constructed between K-Block and Yusuf Zai Market. While seven underground pedestrian subways will be constructed between Gopaldas Building and M-Block; Statesman House and N-Block; Railway Colony and H-Block; H-Block and Chelmsford Road; P-Block and G-Block, Baba Kharag Singh Marg and J-Block. One underground subway will also be constructed on K G Marg, connecting the area to the Outer Circle.
These subways, according to NDMC officials, will be based on modern designs. “The subways will have granite floorings and staircases. The existing outer façade of the existing subways will also be restored,” a senior NDMC official said.
The subways will also be connected to the central cooling mechanism that is to be installed in CP. Installation of escalators and a security system complete with closed-circuit television cameras is also on the cards. The escalators will be installed in the existing and new subways, which will also have ramps for the disabled.
The proposal is a part of the CP redevelopment plan, which includes the restoration of all 16 blocks, and the redevelopment of neighbouring areas like Hanuman Mandir, Palika Bazaar and Shankar Market. Work related to the construction and redevelopment of subways is expected to begin next month and the subways are expected to be ready by August next year.
“While an extension of the deadline could be required considering that the whole CP redevelopment project has been delayed because of the time taken to get all clearances, all the old subways will be restored and at least five of the new subways will be ready before the 2010 Games,” the official said.
