Walled City gets a facelift

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The Walled city of Delhi is slated to get a makeover. The much-awaited Chandni Chowk redevelopment plan that covers areas between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), that had been lying on the back-burner for years, is finally expected to kickoff this month. And MCD officials are hopeful that the process of decongesting the area will be completed soon. In the first phase, all the services such as overhead electric cables and telephone lines will be laid underground.

Besides this, the entry of motor vehicles will be not be allowed inside Chandni Chowk during daytime. The footpaths on the Chandni Chowk Road will be widened resulting in more walking space for people. A 6.6m carriageway will be used for running battery-operated golf-carts (which can carry 8-10 people) between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid. “Cycle rickshaws, which are the main reason for traffic congestion, will be banned. Besides that footpath work, streetscaping will also be carried out. The beautification of the old buildings will be done, but old glory of the place will be restored,” said Deep Mathur, MCD spokesperson.
The project at an estimated cost of `8.5 crore also includes new kiosks, public toilets, signboards, while present transformers and police posts on the road will be removed. “The street lighting, light masts and lighting of building facades will be improved. In addition to this, kiosks will be created for flower sellers present near the Red Fort. The entire road, presently marred by potholes, will be re-laid, as well,” shares Mathur adding that six public buildings will be given a uniform look by changing their façade. As part of the makeover, pre-fabricated tree guards will also be installed.
After frequent cases of fire in Chandni Chowk, the Delhi Gover-nment had also decided to construct ducts in the entire market. “The government has also allotted amount of `25 crore for creating such ducts to make the Walled City neat and more aesthetic,” informs Mathur.
The idea of recreating the old charm of Chandni Chowk, which has deteriorated over the years is however receiving mixed response from people who have witnessed the changing facade of the old metropolis. The proud city artistes, who have captured, coloured and included Old Delhi in many soulful renditions, revel in experiencing the new form of the old city and get nostalgic about its older character, which they want the government to retain.
Agrees Anshika Varma, a young photographer and says, “There are certain aspects of this that I agree with, like restoring old havelis and uncluttering wires are necessary to avoid hazardous situations, but I do not agree with anything that doesn’t help the economy of the place. The rickshawpullers are a part of the fabric of Chandni Chowk and should not be banned. Rather than removing rickshaws, I feel they should be maintained better. It’s bread and butter for many people there.”
But many are quite happy with the move. “Development is always good, provided it means better roads, parking system and better crowd management. Along with the redevelopment bit, security in the area should also be beefed up,” says Garima Vats, a student.