How long does it take for the government to make a stretch of road traffic-free? Decades, even longer, or maybe never? An entire generation of children coming to the Connaught Place has now grown into adults hearing of the inner circle being made free of traffic. And the talk is on among their children now.

Lakhs of Delhi families who love to frequent their favourite evening hangout would know how difficult it is to cross the road to reach central park. Mad blaring of horns spoils the mood further. We have all known the problem for ages and yet the solution has always been a far cry.       

In the latest, the New Delhi municipal council has announced plans to begin making the inner circle traffic-free on Sundays once the beautification work there gets over. This will be on an experimental basis, according to NDMC spokesperson AK Mishra.

If successful, the arrangement will be extended to all other days of the week. However, the New Delhi traders’ association has expressed concern that the move will affect their business. Its president, Atul Bhargava, has said the beautification drive, which has been on since 2007, has already affected their business, and banning vehicles from the inner circle will sound the death knell for the shopkeepers.

This is, of course, not the first time making the inner circle traffic-free is being tried. In the early nineties, the government had attempted making the stretch traffic-free, inviting massive protests from owners of shops located there. As expected, the government gave in to the pressure and the ban on traffic was lifted almost as quickly as it was imposed.

The will of traders proved stronger than the will of the government. It is perhaps bracing for a second round. Let us see how long it can withstand the pressure this time.

Governments neither decide nor dump ideas. They just dither. And keep going back and forth. Therein lies our biggest governance problem.