NEW DELHI: Very soon, ‘vintage look’ electric golf carts will ply up and down the revamped Chandni Chowk, between Lal Jain Mandir and Fatehpuri Masjid, to cater to the mobility needs of visitors for free.
Movement of motor vehicles is restricted on the 1.3km stretch from 9am to 9pm on all days to decongest the Chandni Chowk area and now 11 battery-run golf carts will help visitors traverse the distance. The service would be free, but priority would be given to the elderly, differently abled, women and children for travel.
The Delhi government’s transport department has invited Expression of Interest (EOI) on behalf of the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC), to select one or more agencies to procure and operate such golf carts on the main Chandni Chowk road. Market trader associations, NGOs, societies, companies and other entities are eligible to submit their EOIs for the project. Initially, the period of engagement of an agency would be three years but the period can be extended on the discretion of SRDC.
The electric golf carts will be of vintage look to suit the overall aesthetics and heritage environment of Chandni Chowk. The agency will have to first take approval from SRDC on the design and colour scheme of the carts before these are procured. Apart from the driver, the carts will be able to accommodate seven passengers. The golf carts will have uniformed drivers and will be allowed to pick up or drop passengers only at designated stops.
As part of the first phase, total 11 electric golf carts, including one spare, would be allowed to operate but during subsequent phases, the number of carts to operate in Chandni Chowk may be increased to 22, including two spare carts. Initially, the golf carts will be run on the main Chandni Chowk road but operation of the carts may be later extended to roads adjoining the main road.
