Chandni Chowk revamp to be complete by Sept 5

Work on the 1.3kmlong revamped Chandni Chowk stretch between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid will be completed by September 5, according to the minutes of an August 26 meeting attended by nodal officers for the project.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will inaugurate the stretch on September 12.

Officials said they are trying to wrap up pending work quickly in the run-up to the inauguration. While work on the installation of CCTV cameras is expected to be completed by the end of the month, boom barriers will be installed by September 5, the control room for which will be handed over to the Delhi Police by that day, the minutes said. During the meeting, the transport department also invited expression of interest for operators of vintage golf carts.

In July, the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation proposed to run electric vehicles similar to golf carts designed to look like vintage cars on the revamped stretch, which has been made a no-go zone for motorised vehicles between 9am and 9pm. These low-speed electric golf carts are expected to have a maximum speed of 25-30 kmph. The service is being proposed to help the elderly and infirm who visit the popular market and will be run for free. These cars are expected to become operational by October.

Nitin Panigrahi, deputy general manager, SRDC, which is the nodal agency for the redevelopment project, said the expression of interest had been sought. “The notification for it was issued on August 26,” said Panigrahi. The last date for submission of EOIS is September 10.

According to EOI, the objective of the introduction of golf carts is to cater to the mobility needs of the elderly, disabled people, women and children visiting Chandni Chowk. The carts will be of vintage look in line with the aesthetic and heritage environment of Chandni Chowk, the EOI stated.

Golf carts will be run on the main Chandni Chowk stretch and might be subsequently extended to roads adjoining it. As part of the first phase, 11 golf carts will be allowed to ope in the area. In subsequent ses, the number of such veh is likely to be scaled up to 22. golf carts will be eight-se vehicles. Sanjay Bhargava, p dent Chandni Chowk Sarv par Mandal, said that the c will add to the market’s cha ter. But he added that it is cr to ensure that other issues taining to pending work encroachment are also look and dealt with.

Conceived in 2006, Chandni Chowk redevelop project was launched after a longed delay in December following the directions of Delhi high court, which is monitoring the project.

In the first phase of project, utilities such as ele and other cables were ta underground, and dedic lanes for non-motorised tr port and walkways were structed. Facilities such as lets, ATMS, and benches and lards were also set up. In second phase of the redeve ment project, façade restora will be taken up by the SRDC PWD. A uniform façade wi implemented on the stretch