NEW DELHI: LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu has reviewed plans to redevelop five key stretches in the capital into 24×7 “complete street” corridors – aimed at making them pedestrian-friendly, economically vibrant and socially active public spaces.The proposed corridors will feature movable vendor spaces integrated with cultural and informal craft bazaars to promote a night-time economy, along with wide pedestrian pathways, cycle tracks interspersed with public utilities and resting shelters, quality street lighting, short-duration parking and CCTV-based security to enhance safety for women and children.Delhi govt, with the involvement of the Centre, is likely to undertake feasibility studies for the project. The timeline of the redevelopment will be decided after the studies are completed and reviewed by the govt.Five stretches have been identified in the first phase for redevelopment. They include Minto Road-ITO-Karkardooma, which serves as a key link to east Delhi with strong metro connectivity and potential for a night-time economy; Minto Road-Aruna Asaf Ali Marg-Jawaharlal Nehru Marg-Delhi Gate, connecting central Delhi to its historic core; Netaji Subhash Marg-Shantivan-Mahatma Gandhi Marg along the Yamuna-ITO-IP Estate Metro Station, offering a riverfront edge and proximity to heritage areas; Dhaula Kuan-Jail Road/Cariappa Marg-Tilak Nagar crossing, a busy commercial stretch; and Uttam Nagar-Tilak Nagar-Rajouri Garden along Najafgarh Road, another high-activity corridor with multi-modal connectivity.The initiative is expected to ease congestion, reduce pollution, improve last-mile connectivity and transform everyday streets into dynamic public spaces, contributing to a more modern, inclusive and vibrant urban experience in the capital.
The LG also suggested that the Kingsway Camp-Mall Road stretch be explored for similar redevelopment in subsequent phases, as part of a broader push to expand economic activity and employment opportunities linked to the night-time economy.According to officials, the corridors are being designed to encourage a shift towards public transport and non-motorised mobility. The proposal also addresses persistent civic issues through the integration of advanced stormwater drainage systems to prevent urban flooding and eliminate silt accumulation, a major contributor to dust pollution in the city. Green verges and roadside plantations have been planned to mitigate dust and improve air quality.The project will be executed with robust specifications and supported by third-party quality control mechanisms to ensure high standards of construction. A long-term maintenance and operations framework, potentially backed by revenue-generating models, will be built into the project to ensure sustainability over time, the officials added.The timeline for implementation will be finalised after the feasibility study, which is likely to be undertaken next month. The LG has assured his full support in evaluating the proposal, and stressed the need for close coordination among key agencies, including Public Works Department (PWD), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA), given the complex institutional framework governing urban infrastructure in the city.A detailed presentation on the redevelopment plan was made by School of Planning and Architecture Delhi to the LG on Thursday. Under this model, roads are reimagined as shared public spaces that seamlessly integrate pedestrians, cyclists, buses and private vehicles, while also supporting social and recreational activities.
