The Shahjehanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) , especially constituted to suggest modifications to decongest perennially clogged Chandni Chowk area, is expected to come out with modification plan of redevelopment of Chandni Chowk on Monday. Pradeep Sachdeva, a consultant who prepared a detailed project report (DPR) on Redevelopment on Chandni Chowk, will give a detailed presentation on the proposed modification which suggests two options. The redevelopment plan will give the place an altogether new but somewhat different look, they said.
In the first suggested measure, the central median width is 3.5 metres wherein transformers as well as other public utilities (police post, toilets) are proposed to be accommodated and footpath ( 5 mtr to 10 mtr) on both sides. While in the second option, the central median width has been suggested two meters. Electricity transformers and other public utilities have been proposed to be accommodated on multi utility zone (MUZ) (2.5 meters from edge of footpath on both sides) and footpath (6.5 meters to 13.5 meters).
It may be noted that Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Plg. & Engg.) Centre (UTTIPEC) , an engineering body of Delhi Development Authority has earlier proposed one meter of central median and 6.5 meter to 7.5 meters footpaths from northern side.
In the DPR, Sachdeva has proposed 5.5 meters of carriageway while UTTIPEC proposed 8.5 meter carriageway for two ways in the phase two and seven meter carriageway in the phase one. From southern side, UTTIPEC proposed seven meters of carriageway and 15 meters to 7.5 meters footpaths while Sachdeva proposes 5.5 meters to 11.5 meters footpath in the first option and 6.5 meters to 9.5 meters in the second option.
“The idea behind the exercise is to restore Chandni Chowk, was designed as a ceremonial axis and regularly saw processions of nobles and courtiers, to its glorious past. It was built in the 1650s by Jahanara Begum and originally housed about 1,560 shops and porticos.
The street was 40 metres wide, 1,520 metres long and through its centre flowed the Paradise Cana”, an official said.
During British Rule the canal was covered in 1910. They built the Town Hall at the location of the erstwhile Sarai and added the clock tower in place of the pool in Chandni Chowk and a fountain on the Fountain Chowk to enhance the importance of these landmarks.
It’s a busy and congested trading hub where you can barely move without encountering an obstacle at each step.
It may be recalled that it was former Union minister and then area MP Kapil Sibal’s idea to redevelop the market. Conceived in 2006, the initial plan was to pedestrianise the main road between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid, take utilities underground, start trams or electric buses on the kilometre-long stretch, create space for parking, redo the façade of buildings on both sides, among others. The north corporation, which inherited the project from the erstwhile MCD post trifurcation, sat on it for a couple of years.The project was then transferred to PWD in 2013.
SRDC was established in 2008 to oversee the project. However, till 2014, its role was limited to spreading awareness about the Walled City through heritage walks and exhibitions only.
Then, a legal framework was set up to define SRDC’s role in the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid.
