Chandni Chowk set for second round of revamp

New Delhi: Historical places across Delhi symbolize the country's evolution over the centuries. The city of Old Delhi is a living and thriving reminder of the rich heritage of Delhi. In order to preserve this history, the Delhi Government has decided to work on the second phase of the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk.

The Deputy Chief Minister Shri Manish Sisodia held a meeting regarding the same with the officials of concerned departments on September 20, 2022, and discussed the plan for the second phase.

Under the second phase of the redevelopment project, the government aims to revive and beautify the historical architectural character of the buildings in the Chandni Chowk area. This will be done by maintaining the balance between historic and modern architectural designs. The project includes conservation of heritage structures as per original material and construction techniques, structural retrofitting, restoration and unification of facade of heritage structures, colour and signage scheme for shops, lighting and facade illumination of shops and buildings, and interpretation of storyline of heritage structures on various spots by using plaques and QR codes to enhance the visitor experience.

While speaking about the project, Manish Sisodia said, “The Delhi Government completed the first phase of the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk in 2021 and the response of the public to it was overwhelming. In the first phase, we focused on decongesting the area and landscaping to improve the shopping experience for the visitors. To further add to it, now the government will focus on reviving the architecture of historical buildings and shops in the area. This will enhance the look of Chandni Chowk and will provide a unique experience to the visitors.”

The Deputy Chief Minister added that in the present situation, Chandni Chowk has a blend of historic and modern architecture buildings which have emerged over the years, as per the requirements of the locals in the area. But to provide a unified look to the market, these buildings require a facelift. He said that during the implementation of the redevelopment plan, officials will ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the owners of local shops and historical buildings.

Along with this, the government is also planning to revamp the roads of the Shahjahanabad area to provide a better shopping experience for visitors and a better opportunity to explore the cultural heritage of Delhi.

It is to be noted that in the first phase of redevelopment, the Delhi government revamped the 1.3 km stretch with red sandstone and granite pavement between the Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid. The landscaping of the 17th-century market was done and CCTVs were installed to ensure the safety of the visitors. In an attempt to make the market pedestrian-friendly, the stretch was declared a “no-traffic zone” for motorized vehicles between 9:00am and 9:00pm.