Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
Chandni Chowk redevelopment project to transform the area

By March 2020, Chandni Chowk will undergo a complete makeover.

NEW DELHI: A redevelopment project is soon to transform one of the oldest and busiest markets in the national capital. Chandni Chowk, located in the heart of the city is looking towards a car-free future. The Delhi government’s ambitious 65-crore Chandni Chowk redevelopment project is underway. With a 12-metre sample already in place, the project has become the talk of the town.

According to an Indian Express report, Local shopkeepers in Chandni Chowk marvel at the sample of New Chandni Chowk as they click pictures to show their relatives the latest developments in the area. “Namumkin ko bhi mumkin kar diya hai,” said a 38-year-old shopkeeper. After a 15 year delay the redevelopment project doesn’t seem like a distant dream anymore.

New Developments

The idea of transforming Chandni Chowk first came up in 2004. The Sheila Dikshit led Congress government even set up the Shahjahanabad Redvelopment Corporation (SRDC). However, the redevelopment project did not take off for a decade.

Last year, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia launched the project in December. Shopkeepers and residents of the area were on board with the project. Then, the digging began.

A year before the project was launched, architect Pradip Sachdeva joined as chief architect. “What do Mall Road in Shimla, MG Road in Gangtok or the area near the Golden Temple have in common? They are car-free zones. I think this is the most important aspect of the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk,” he said.

The 12-metre stretch in front of the Central Baptist church paints a vivid picture. The area includes a 5.4-metre-wide foodpath, next to which is a 5.5-metre-wide carriageway for cycle rickshaws. This is followed by a 3.5-metre-wide central verge with planters and bollards. Next to this is the second 5.5-metre-wide carriageway and another 5.4-metre-wide footpath.

Sachdeva said, “Of the two lanes meant for rickshaws, one can be used for emergency services like the ambulance, fire tenders or police vehicles. The lane can also be used for religious processions.”

Concerns

The area being car-free received mixed reactions from the shopkeepers. A number of them believe that it would hamper their businesses. Anuj Lal, a worker at one of the shoe stores in Chandni chowk said, “Hopefully parking facilities will be provided, otherwise where will people park? I fear businesses will suffer because a lot of shoppers are used to bringing cars to the doorstep of the shops.”

Trader Ravi Kumar Jindal, who runs an electrical shop, is hopeful that the 1.3-km stretch will be more peaceful than the rest of the Old Delhi. ‘The noise pollution will go down considerably, and one will be able to enjoy work and sit outside the shops,” he said.

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