L-G Baijal to visit Old Delhi, review Shahjahanabad revamp plan

The government had planned to redevelop Shahjahanabad and had set up a dedicated body to coordinate efforts. However, the plan to revamp the area, which has monuments such as the Jama Masjid, has not been implemented for over a decade

The ambitious plan to redevelop Shahjahanabad, which has been hanging fire for more than a decade, is expected to get the much-needed push with the L-G Anil Baijal deciding to visit the Walled City soon.

Encroachment is a major problem in Chandni Chowk. The government is planning to revamp the city of Shahjahanabad but the plan has been hanging fire for over a decade. (Sushil Kumar/HT Photo)

Baijal decided to visit the area after a meeting convened on Tuesday with all stakeholders including Shahjahananad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) to review the project.

“The L-G may visit the area in the next couple of days, may be on a Saturday, to examine the prevailing chaos in Chandni Chowk area and its vicinity,” said a Delhi government official privy to the development.

Senior government officials -- Delhi chief secretary MM Kutty, PWD secretary Ashwini Kumar, newly appointed Managing Director of SRDC V Abrraham and General Manager OP Mishra --- were present in the meeting. The meeting was also attended by all nodal officers of various department including North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Public Work Department (PWD), Delhi Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, BSES, and Delhi Jal Board (DJB).

Satyendra Jain, PWD minister, who is also SRDC’s chairman did not come for the meeting.

HT has, last month, reported that Baijal had sought a status report from the SRDC on the revamp plan.

“Encroachment and illegal construction is a big issue here. The pavements have been squatted upon by unauthorised hawkers and unregistered cycle rickshaws are still plying in Chandni Chowk area regardless of the February 10 court order,” said Nadeem Qazi, a resident of Ballimaran.

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

“The meeting ended on a positive note. The L-G is likely to issue necessary directions after his visit,” a government official said.

The plan