Traders divided over plan to redevelop Chandni Chowk

NEW DELHI: Chandni Chowk traders are divided over an elaborate plan to redevelop and decongest the Mughal-era market. To be executed by the Delhi government, the plan is being monitored and implemented under the directions of the Delhi high court.

The Chandni Chowk redevelopment plan envisages building of dedicated non-motorised vehicle lanes, upgrading and shifting of public utilities to the central verge, development of walking plazas and pedestrianisation of the 1.5-km-long stretch between Red Fort and Fatehpuri mosque. The work started on December 1.

Leaders of both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have met the traders.

BJP’S Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel, who is the founder of India heritage foundation, organised a meeting with traders at Town Hall building on Wednesday. The mayor and standing committee chairman of Bjp-ruled north Delhi municipal body also attended the meeting.

Local AAP MLA Alka Lamba, who is the director of Shahjanabad Redevelopment Corporation, said she explained the plan to the traders in a separate meeting on Wednesday. SRDC is the main implementing agency of the redevelopment project.

As per traders who attended the BJP meeting, concerns were raised over issues such as offloading sites, parking and traffic circulation. Suresh Bindal, a local businessman who attended the meet, said, “Despite knowing the fact that it’s a wholesale market, no sites have been identified for loading and unloading of goods. Barricading of one carriageway and central verge has resulted into chaos in area.”

Goel, a former Lok Sabha MP from Chandni Chowk, said, “It is disappointing that the court had to intervene for implementation of the project. Lack of coordination between agencies has delayed it. The Centre should form an independent body to map the area, plan the project afresh and fix responsibility of each department for execution.”

Lamba said the plan was explained to the traders in detail. “We explained to them the plan and how it will be implemented. We cleared their doubts about closing of the main road for work. The 9am-9pm plan will not be implemented now. Initially, we are just taking the services underground and augmenting civic infrastructure,” she said.

In BJP meeting, traders said the project doesn’t emphasise on beautification of the area. “There is plan to shift utilities such as urinals, and transformers on central verge. But this would make it look cluttered,” said Suman Gupta, EX-BJP councillor.

Lamba, however, said a large section of traders want the project to start. “The plan was prepared after consultation with traders. It has been approved by all agencies. If there are issues, these can be sorted out,” said Lamba.

Sanjay Bhargava, president of Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, who is also a member of the court-appointed committee, said the plan should be implemented. “The redevelopment work has been awaited for years. Only some traders have issue as they want to do politics. The plan will not impact our businesses as workers are allowed to load and unload on rickshaws.”

AK Jain, former DDA commissioner (planning), said under the master plan short-term measures were supposed to be implemented such as giving uniform look to front facade, hoardings, taking cables underground and refurbishing drainage system. “Now that they have started work over central verge, due attention should be paid for proper disposal of sewerage.”