Disabled friendly infra, facelift for south Delhi markets soon

NEW DELHI: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) plans to spruce up eight markets under its jurisdiction. The markets will be disabled friendly, will have

NEW DELHI: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) plans to spruce up eight markets under its jurisdiction. The markets will be disabled friendly, will have modern infrastructure, uniform signages, LED lights and car-free zones in some places.

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These markets chosen for the revamp are: New Friends Colony Community Centre, Green Park B -6 block market, Greater Kailash -1’s M-Block market, H-block Sarita Vihar, Hauz Khas Market, Saket J-block market, Punjabi Bagh Central Market and Vikaspuri’s PVR Shopping Complex.

“The idea is to make these markets accessible to everyone,” said senior SDMC official. Recently, SDMC commissioner Puneet Goel directed the officials to carry out development work on a priority basis. The work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Besides levelling of the pathways and construction of ramps for the disabled, the SDMC will place trash cans of 1,100-litre capacity each to keep the markets clean. The officials have also asked the shopkeepers to adopt uniform signages like Janpath Market in Connaught Place.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the ministry of social justice and empowerment has allocated Rs 2.12 crore and Rs 1.58 crore to make GK-1 M Block and New Friends Colony markets respectively barrier free. “We are expecting the funds in the next two months after which work can be started,” said an SDMC official.

The civic agency has roped in consultants to give a makeover to GK-1 market, which is to be developed as a ‘market plaza’ with wide peripheral roads, verandahs and spacious toilet complexes .“We will identify space in GK-1 market that can be turned into a car-free zone ,” said the official.

The SDMC will ensure basic infrastructure facilities in the NFC market. Ever since the market was handed over to the SDMC from the DDA, no development work was done here. “The drains here have no proper outlet as a result the market remains flooded. Essential signages are also missing,” added the official.

The SDMC has fixed the drains and tiled the common area in the Hauz Khas market. “We have also repaired the toilet blocks.We will soon install eight signages at all the entrances. We are expecting to complete the project by October 15,” said Naveen Verma, chief engineer, south zone.

For the reconstruction and repair of drains in Saket’s J block market, a budget estimate of Rs 65 lakh has been sent for approval. Ramps and footpaths will be made disabled friendly here.

The Green park market will also get a face lift .“Granite wall, colourful tiles, disable friendly ramp sand as elfie wall with murals have been planned,” said Singh.

The SDMC has constructed toilet complexes in Vikaspuri PVR Shopping Complex and repair of the drainage system and ramps is nearing completion, said a senior SDMC official.

The parking area has been repaired and the construction of ramps underway in Punjabi Bagh Central Market, claimed an SDMC official.