New Delhi: NDMC on Wednesday approved 16 major proposals aimed at improving civic infrastructure, enhancing public services and promoting citizen welfare.Among the key initiatives that received the nod was a ‘night food bazar’ at Connaught Place and India Gate. The project will see 50-60 food trucks operating daily between 10.30pm and 1am, offering a wide range of food and enriching the night-time experience for locals and tourists.The concept was proposed by Delhi minister and NDMC ex officio member Parvesh Verma. He said the project will be developed along the lines of successful night markets in other parts of India.“Indore’s Sarafa Bazaar, a jewellery market by day, transforms into a night street food market, serving a wide variety of local delicacies late into the night. Similarly, Ahmedabad hosts the famous Law Garden Night Market, offering traditional Gujarati clothing, handicrafts, jewellery, along with a lively array of food stalls and trucks,” said NDMC vice chairman Kuljeet Chahal.All council members supported the proposal and directed officials to submit a plan in the next meeting.Installation of mist spray systems at 24 more locations was also approved. “A survey identified 10 stretches — Barakhamba Road, Ferozeshah Road, Sikandra Road, Bhagwan Dass Road, Copernicus Marg, Tilak Marg, Shankar Road, Mandir Marg Road, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg and Subramanian Bharti Marg —in Phase I where pollution and dust particles are high. The total length of these roads is 11,883 metres. The council approved an expenditure of almost Rs 8 crore for the work. Phase II will cover Shahjahanabad Road, Prithiviraj Road, Moti Lal Nehru, Man Singh Road, Dr APJ Kalam Abdul Road, Rama Krishna Marg, Peshwa Road and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg,” stated NDMC.The council also greenlit setting up of smart classes in all primary NDMC (Navyug) schools, including installing interactive flat panels in classes I to V, maintaining educational digital content, setting up servers, training teachers, providing IT assistants and installing CCTV, with an investment of nearly Rs 8 crore.It was also decided to undertake the resurfacing of 79 roads with technical guidance from CSIR-CRRI over the next five years. NDMC has prepared a division-wise action plan for this purpose. Other projects approved were the construction of a foot overbridge in front of Gate No. 5 of Delhi HC; appointment of an advanced metering infrastructure service provider for smart metering on a design-build-finance-own-operate-and-transfer basis; establishment of installations related to various visual arts such as sculptures, paintings, graphics and digital arts in NDMC areas; and execution of an annual cultural calendar of activities.
