`50 crore cleared for Town Hall revamp
NEW DELHI: The ministry of tourism has cleared a `50-crore heritage renewal project for the Town Hall in Chandni Chowk, paving the way for the historic landmark to be developed as a major tourist attraction, a top North Delhi Municipal Corporation official said on Sunday.
Although the project has been proposed by the north civic body, under whose jurisdiction the nearly 150-year-old building falls, the funds for the project will be cleared upon submission of a detailed project report to the ministry.
“The Town Hall restoration and renewal project has been cleared by the Ministry of Tourism. The `50-crore fund from the Centre, however, will be released after the submission of the detailed project report,” north civic body public relations officer Yogendra Singh Mann said.
Billed as one of the most ambitious projects by the north civic body, the revamp project will see the heritage building in Chandni Chowk area come up with a museum and a library, among other things.
It will also have a state-of theart conference hall, children’s corner, boutique hotel, multicuisine restaurants and audiovisual and meeting rooms.
“The museum will be based on Delhi’s history and heritage. Steps will also be taken to offer people a great audio-visual experience, which will complement the architectural grandeur of the place,” Mann said.
“The building adjoining the main block will be developed as a heritage boutique hotel. We want visitors to experience the history of this place which dates back to the 1860s,” he added.
Known originally as the Lawrence Institute, the Hall was the original seat of the Delhi Municipality. After trifurcation of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, it housed the North Corporation until it shifted to the swanky, multistoreyed Civic Centre on Minto Road.
The north civic body said since it is a 19th century building, the aim will be to “remain loyal” to the original design, which means the restoration work will take time.
“The building was originally used by the British to hold public meetings. Built in yellow-painted brick and stone, and carved white stone trim, it was bought by the municipality around 1866 for its use,” he said.
The ornate columns, arched windows and the carvings on the porticos are an additional attraction at this historic sentinel of Delhi, which has seen the eras of tramways and Victorian clocktowers pass by in front of it.
“The idea behind the project is to give people a taste of history. The plan is to return to the original design and layout, including the old gates and fences, which would be complemented and supplemented by new amenities inside,” Mann said. YOGENDRA MANN, PRO North Delhi Municipal Corporation NEW DELHI: An environment activist on Sunday appealed to all political parties to make environment their agenda for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing media persons at the Press Club of India, eco-activist Balbir Singh Seechewal drew people’s attention towards the environmental crisis faced by India.
“I want to appeal to the people to not vote for candidate who aren’t serious about the environment,” he said. Seechewal also appealed to senior political leaders of various parties to include environmental issues in their party manifesto.
PTI