Revamp of Chandni Chowk phase 2: Consultant finalised
Delhi government’s Public Works Department (PWD) has finalised a consultant to carry out the restoration of the facade of the buildings in Chandni Chowk in the second phase of the heritage market’s redevelopment project.
Under the second phase, all buildings on the 1.4km stretch between the Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid, will get a facade uplift.
A senior PWD official, who asked not to be named, said the consultant for façade restoration was selected last week. “The consultant was finalised last Friday. They will look after the facade restoration and other projects,” the official said.
Officials from Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC), the nodal agency for the redevelopment project,
said work on façade restoration will be initiated soon. Garima Gupta, managing director, SRDC, said façade restoration will be done keeping in mind the diverse architectural and heritage value of buildings in Shahjahanabad. “A uniform facade may not go with the heritage
character of Shahjahanabad. We will come up with ideas and adopt the best possible practices for the preservation of the area’s heritage,” said Gupta.
She said that work on facade restoration will start immediately after the appointment of the consultant.
Annabel Lopez, project consultant, INTACH Delhi, said any exercise entailing façade restoration at Chandni Chowk should be focused on preserving the unique character of the place.
“Each building has to be conserved but its identity has to be retained. There are a number of notified heritage buildings in the area. Standardisation of façade should not be done the way... where original identity and architecture of the buildings was completely lost,” said Lopez.
Sanjay Bhargava, president Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, said that it was important to curb illegal construction before proceeding for façade restoration.
“All unauthorised construction in the area should be stopped since it is spoiling the façade. Everything should be restored as per original ethos.”