DUAC for sprucing up South Delhi neighbourhood

The affluent and cosmopolitan neighbourhood of South Delhi - Chittaranjan Park, Kalkaji DDA flats and Alaknanda - might soon be upgraded in social and physical infrastructure with a better planning process.

In order to upgrade urban environment and social infrastructure based on policy of urban renewal, the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) has conducted a detailed study of ward 190, which includes the three areas, and found the need for bridging the disconnect between the Zonal Plan and Local Area Plan.

Ward 190 is surrounded by a mixed urban fabric such as Kalkaji, Greater Kailash and Nehru Place; unplanned areas such as Govindpuri; and green areas like Jahapanah forest. The land use as per the Master Plan 2021 is residential.

In its site-specific ward design study, the commission has found that the major issues faced by the residents of the ward relate to transportation, parking, urban design, parks, stormwater and solid-waste management under the Local Area Plan.

The study analysed each of these issues and made recommendations for urban renewal of the area.

The ward, the DUAC said, lacks healthcare facilities and AIIMS is the nearest hospital. There is lack of basic amenities like drinking water and public toilets.

Lack of lane division for motorised and non-motorised vehicles and inadequate footpaths were noticed in the ward.

Absence of facilities for the differently-abled and senior citizens, no dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, no signage and streetlights, and grating at the base of trees were some negatives. Absence of organised hoardings and dirty back lanes of the houses and absence of dustbins at regular intervals were some of the issues taken up in the study.

The DUAC also found the Right of Way (ROW) designated in the Master Plan not available on site and was either encroached upon due to vehicular parking, by street hawkers or by rampant construction leading to traffic congestion during peak hours.

The DUAC recommended clearing of all encroachments, proper lanes for motorised and non-motorised vehicles, well-designed footpaths keeping in mind the needs of the disabled and the elderly, a dedicated lane for cyclists, proper signage, and segregated waste bins at regular intervals.

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DUAC for sprucing up South Delhi neighbourhood