Delhi L-G Baijal seeks status report on Shahjahanbad revamp plan

In an ‘urgent’ note sent to the managing director of the corporation, Baijal wants to know what action is required to resolve the issues that stand in the path to progress.

Hopes for the Walled City’s redevelopment have revived as Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has sought a status report from the Shahjahanbad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) on the revamp plan.

The long-pending Old Delhi revitalization project has been virtually stalled since December 2014.

In an ‘urgent’ note sent to the managing director of the corporation, Baijal wants to know what action is required to resolve the issues that stand in the path to progress.

“Hon’ble Lt. Governor has desired for a status report indicating progress, problems, and way forward in respect of SRDC. You, are, therefore requested to admit the said report expeditiously for kind perusal of Lt Governor,” said the letter sent by RN Sharma, special secretary to the L-G.

The long-pending revitalization project has been virtually stalled since December 2014.

The construction of a duct to shift utility cables underground along the southern carriageway is yet to be begin. The channel, constructed more than two years ago, on the northern carriageway is inundated with sludge.

Despite the Delhi High Court’s repeated orders, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Traffic Police have failed to clear encroachments from the area. Unregistered cycle rickshaws are still plying in Chandni Chowk area regardless of the February 10 court order.

A senior government official said the report to the L-G is yet to be submitted. “We will submit the report soon, including suggestions for external funding from organizations like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and examples of successfully implemented projects such as redevelopment of the Walled city in Lahore and beautification of the starch leading to Golden Temple in Amritsar,” the official said.

Sanjay Bhargava , general secretary, Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, who has been pursuing the matter with the authorities for long, said traders believe the L-G will personally monitor Shahjahanabad’s redevelopment like he oversees other issues of the city.

“I have been writing to L-G, drawing his attention to the deteriorating condition of the area ever since he occupied the office in December. It seems that the government and civic body have lost interest in the project. We hope things will fall back on track now,” Bhargava said.