Chandni Chowk’s facelift to begin on December 1

NEWDELHI: Work on the much-delayed Chandni Chowk redevelopment project, which would make it the first pedestrian-only market in Delhi, will start from December 1, officials said.

The decision was taken at the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) meeting on Friday.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will start work to shift and upgrade the sewer and water supply pipelines in the area from December 1, said a senior SRDC official.

“The DJB has informed us that they aim to complete the work by April. The BSES will also start the work soon to shift the electric cables and transformers and would complete it by September next year,” said the SRDC official, who did not wish to be identified.

The Delhi government’s Public Works Department (PWD), which is the nodal agency to implement the project, is working on the final plan for the project’s execution.

“PWD is working on the blueprint of the project. The blueprint will have details about where DJB, BSES and other utilities will be placed and the timeline for the execution of work. The blueprint is likely to be finalised in a week,” said Sanjay Bhargava, president of the Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal and one of the members of the SRDC committee.

The redevelopment plan was cleared by the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) in August this year. According to the plan, the 1.5km-long stretch between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Mosque will be closed for vehicular traffic during the day (9am-9pm) and would be pedestrianised. The Delhi Traffic Police have prepared a detailed traffic circulation plan for the area to ensure smooth movement of vehicles once the restriction comes into effect.

“The plan will be submitted the Delhi High Court on December 1,” said a senior traffic official.

As per the redevelopment plan, a 3-3.5metre-wide median will be constructed which will have police posts, facilities like toilets and water ATMs etc.

A 5.5-m-wide carriageway would be constructed on both sides of the median for non-motorised vehicles. “Next to these lanes on both sides will be space for pedestrians. We plan to integrate the existing corridor outside shops with the pedestrian space,” said a panel member.

A 33.5 METREWIDE MEDIAN WILL BE CONSTRUCTED WHICH WILL HAVE POLICE POSTS AND FACILITIES LIKE TOILETS, WATER ATMS