Revamped Chandni Chowk to be open by November: Kejriwal

The project’s aim is to have a pedestrian-friendly stretch that is devoid of the clutter caused by electrical and telephone wires in the skyline and noisy vehicles on the road.

The long-delayed Chandni Chowk redevelopment project, which visualises a decongested and pedestrianised heritage market along the 1.5-km road between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid, will be thrown open to the public in the first week of November, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said after inspecting the site on Thursday.

Delhi CM Kejriwal and PWD minister Satyendar Jain during their visit to Chandni Chowk on Thursday. (Arvind Yadav/HT PHOTO)

The project’s aim is to have a pedestrian-friendly stretch that is devoid of the clutter caused by electrical and telephone wires in the skyline and noisy vehicles on the road.

“The heart of Chandni Chowk or its main area is getting a complete makeover. It is a historical place. We will bring back the historical glory of this area by beautifying it in every way possible. This 1.5-km stretch will be a non-motorised vehicle (NMV) area from 9am to 9pm,” Kejriwal told reporters.

Kejriwal hoped the area will attract tourists from across the world. “We hope the place will be opened by the first week of November. It was supposed to start in May but the process was delayed due to the coronavirus,” he said.

Stating that the project has seen a cost escalation of around ₹25-30 crore, he said, “The delay owing to the pandemic has now increased the estimated total project cost to ₹90 crore.”

Work on the project started in December 2018 and was scheduled to be done by March 2020. The deadline was pushed to May 31 due to an embargo imposed by the National Green Tribunal on construction to curb pollution.

Covid-19, and the shortage of labour that stemmed out of the nationwide lockdown forced the authorities to further postpone it to the end of October .

Garima Gupta, managing director of the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC), said major works such as laying underground electricity and water lines and constructing a stormwater drain were 95% complete and trials on energising these would begin.

“Now mostly superficial works are left such as covering the roads and beautifying them. A major time-consuming work that will soon begin is laying granite slabs. Granite is very delicate and often breaks if not handled carefully. Footpaths and benches have to be built and poles need to be installed with signage,” she said.

Asked if the CM issued any directions, Gupta said, “Not really. The CM just wanted to take stock of the project.”

Gupta said the 1.5km stretch has been divided into four parts -- 1) Red Fort to Fountain Chowk or Gurudwara Sisganj; 2) Fountain Chowk or Gurudwara Sisganj to Town Hall; 3) Town Hall to Ballimaran; 4) Ballimaran to Fatehpuri Masjid.

The entire stretch will be ready by October-end.