Shut for 12 years, there finally seems to be light for Connaught Place’s ailing Super Bazar. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is planning to build an automated multilevel parking in the area which could take some burden off CP’s parking lots. lying unused for over a decade now, the civic agency is also mulling over ways to redevelop the old building.
To begin with, the NDMC plans to convert its existing surface parking lot, opposite the Super Bazar building, into a plush automated multilevel parking facility. In addition, the multilevel parking space is also expected to have a rooftop recreation zone. “We are planning to start with upgrading the parking lot in the area. The present surface parking lot shall be converted into an automated multilevel one. If the design works out, we would also like to create a special zone on top of the building which may house an al-fresco and other features,” said Jalaj Shrivastava, Chairman, NDMC. With a ground area of 2,000 square metres, the parking facility is expected to accommodate nearly 700-800 cars. The agency is currently drafting a proposal for the same.
With regard to the building, the NDMC has communicated to its operators — the Dainik Bhaskar Group — to either run it or add commercial value to the property by any means. The building has been shut ever since July, 2002 as the bazaar was rendered defunct due to monetary issues. According to the civic body, the building is in shambles and is ‘dangerous’ for the life and property of people living around it. “The building is in a dilapidated condition and is no active measure is taken by the company responsible for it then we intend to demolish it. Our aim is to revive the whole place into a state-of-the-art structure. lying abandoned it is only eating up space and marring the beauty of the CP circle,” said an official.
Even though in an abysmal state, the building consists of a basement with an area of approximately 19,000 square feet and a ground floor plus five floors measuring 20,200 square feet. Earlier also, the NDMC had proposed to reconstruct the building after demolishing the structure that housed the Super Bazar. But the matter was taken to the court, on which the Supreme Court wanted to know why the NDMC was willing to demolish the building housing Super Bazar for reconstruction when other buildings older than it was not in such a list. The Super Bazar, which was opened by the Centre to provide articles of daily use to Delhiites at reasonable prices, was in the red since 1998 and had to be closed down.
