Delhi HC bans plying of rickshaws in Chandni Chowk

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) In order to decongest the historic Chandni Chowk set up by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in front of Lal Qilla 350 years ago, the Delhi High Court today banned plying of rickshaws from the day an alternative mass transport system is introduced.

In a comprehesive order to develop Delhi a world class city, a division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain said the rickshaws would be impounded if seen plying between Red Fort Chowk and Fatehpuri after the introduction of the mass trasport system.

While fixing July 26 as the next date of hearing, the court suggested that the authorities should introduce the sky bus or CNG bus in the area at the earliest.

When the Delhi government submitted that introduction of the mass transport would take about nine months, the court directed it to submit a time-frame proposal and introduce it within six months.

Reiterating an order pronounced in 2003, the Court said the MCD should not issue any more license for plying rickshaws in the capital.

The committee, constituted by the High Court to execute the directions with regard to the PIL filed by Hem Raj for the overall development of the city, today submitted a report after holding its meeting on May 5, 2006.

The Court asked the MCD to file a report on issuance of rickshaw license despite a ban on it in 2003.

MORE UNI PAT LR RN1923