Five-acre plot near Connaught Place to be made green island

NEW DELHI: Lutyens’ Delhi will soon have another Central Park like the one at Connaught Place. New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has prepared a detailed plan to redevelop a five-acre plot between Bangla Sahib Gurdwara and Shivaji Stadium metro station into a ‘green island’.

At present, this place is quite cluttered due to haphazardly located nurseries, a park, traffic training centre, office of Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic) and a night shelter.NDMC plans to transform it into a recreational facility after shifting out the nurseries, demolishing the traffic police office and relocating the night shelter.
Lieutenant governor Anil Baijal visited the site on Saturday, said an NDMC official.
NDMC’s outgoing chairman Naresh Kumar said, “The place will be developed like Central Park with provisions for open amphitheatre, children’s playing area, sitting area and walkway. Like Connaught Place, some event can also be organised here, if required. A historical fountain located in the middle of the land will be restored and given an aesthetic look using colourful lights and plants. Landscaping will be done in about three acres of area,” he said.
Since the offices of the DCP and ACP were shifted last week, the civic agency has started work to demolish the concrete structures here and redevelop it as a happiness area.
“The DCP’s office was located here for the past 15 years, but we had no other option but to shift it. On LG’s direction, the complex was emptied on Friday. Now, we will get ample space to develop this as a green island,” said a senior NDMC official.
There are nearly 150 people living in the night shelter. The civic agency aims to relocate them properly.
“The traffic training park will be constructed before this to allow use of potential green space. Also, it will help bring all concrete structures on one side. Efforts will be made to provide access to this T-shaped island from all sides, after installing grilles and installing warm white lights so that people can see the island easily,” he said.
LG Baijal said people coming to Hanuman Mandir, Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, Sacred Heart Cathedral and Gole Dak Khana can use this place for recreation. “Since the site will be located in the middle of city, we are expecting heavy footfall here,” he said.
NDMC will finalise a composite design in consultation with Delhi Urban Art Commission. The entire facility will be developed by NDMC being a single agency, said the lieutenant governor.
“We will start work as soon as we get DUAC’s nod. This place will help people relax,” said the NDMC official.