Old Delhi to get a facelift, finally

After a delay of several years, the Chandni Chowk Redevelopment Plan will finally see light of day. The project will look at infrastructural, economic and tourism potential.

After a delay of several years, the Chandni Chowk Redevelopment Plan will finally see light of day.

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Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC), whose main aim and objective is to promote conservation of man-made and natural heritage buildings in the city, is looking after the project. Officials said that the work on the project will start by first week of November.

The salient features of the project include creation of pedestrian-oriented space in Chandni Chowk, which will be seen as a catalyst for revitalising economic, infrastructural and tourism potential of Shahjahanabad. "Motorised vehicles will not be allowed in the area except for school buses, emergency and police vehicles. Cycle rickshaws will only be allowed to ply in a dedicated way in the residential and surrounding areas," said a senior official.

In addition to this, new landscape, better lighting and paving would be looked at. Services would be organised below road surface so that no over ground services are visible. Provision of toilets would also be made with regular water facility.

SRDC has been mandated to raise or arrange funds from various sources such as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and similar schemes, government grants, loans among others to achieve the aim.