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The Village story, 2004
Hauz Khas Village still grapples with its congested approach, parking hassles and stray cattle.
Hauz Khas village was where the ultra chic shopped once upon a time. Models and wannabe actors walked through congested lanes to reach tony boutiques. From silver rings to anklets, from chikan suits to sequinned tops, everybody thought ethnic.
Then the inevitable happened: parking became a pain, the power system went erratic and designers pulled their shutters down to hop over to the hip 1, MG Road.
Now, with the government announcing the night bazaar, the village is again abuzz with excitement. Business is bouncing back. According to Jeetendar Monga of The Marwari, a saree outlet, there is a palpable sense of optimism. Shahnaz Hussain will soon launch an art gallery and the renovated Bistro will have a pub. Designers and shopkeepers are returning to the dimly-lit approach to the village, hoping to get back consumers.
Mahinder Singh of the furniture shop Pracheen says “the night bazaar will bring back buyers.”
“The night bazaar is a great idea,” says Raj Dhingra of Power House that set up shop in the village 18 years back. “We were told that it will begin from October 1, but the launch has been postponed to October 15. But problems like parking and congestion need to be addressed. We are looking at a valet parking solution.”
Bina Ramani, who opened Twice Upon A Time in 1987, agrees that power and law and order problems are the biggest stumbling blocks on the road to revival.
Concurs Anupama Mehra of Bauji Ka Dhaba: “The night bazaar will sure shore up the footfall and bring in new business, but parking is a sore point with most clients. We hope something is done about it quickly.”
But the parking hassles could soon be history, says Monga. “Just give us another month. There’s enough space adjacent to the village and additional lighting will brighten up the approach.” That’s something to look forward to.
