The iconic Gole Market will be conserved and redeveloped as a museum. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday launched the project of “Conservation and Restoration of main Gole Market building as a museum and redevelopment of surrounding areas including, construction of service block and subway”. Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi was also present.
The restoration work will include removing encroachments, providing public facilities and handicap accessibility and reinstating the original fenestration and entrance archways. The museum will be connected to Doctor Lane and Bhai Veer Singh Marg via an underpass. The restoration and renovation of the historic and iconic Gole Market was pending since 2006.
The move comes nearly two months after New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) finalised the agency for the restoration and development of the structure as a museum during a meeting on August 23.The project will cost Rs 21.6 crore.
After launching the projects aimed at restoration and rejuvenation of the iconic Gole Market, Saxena said the originality of the historic structure will not be tampered with while carrying out the restoration works.
He further said it will be the first of its kind museum in the country dedicated to women achievers of the country, in different spheres.
The museum will showcase the contributions made by women of India in Art, Literature, Culture, Social Sector, Medicine, Science & Technology and especially their role in the struggle for independence.
Immediately after taking over, Saxena had visited the site and promised to take up its restoration and rejuvenation. Many meetings down the line, it was felt that the restoration would require conserving the building through retrofitting.
Saxena hoped that the heritage site will evolve as a central place for visitors in the coming days.
A subway and a dedicated parking space will also be part of the Gole Market project, to facilitate the visitors to the Museum, he added.
The LG along with the Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi also visited the construction site of Jai Prakash Narain (JPN) Library at Udyan Marg.
According to New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) official, the council will try to complete the work in 12 months from the date of awarding the tender.
Occupying a nodal position at the intersection of Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Bhai Veer Singh Marg, Peshwa Road and Ramakrishna Mission Marg, within a kilometre from Connaught Place, this urban landmark was initially designed by the British to serve the basic needs of the residential areas in the locality.
Shops were accordingly set up for milk, vegetables, foodgrains and other general items. Over the years, government apathy in its maintenance has caused numerous problems.
Its external renders and plasters, reinforced brick concrete and architectural detailing have deteriorated while vegetation growth, water seepage, timber deterioration and thoughtless additions and material incompatibility have taken the sheen off the iconic structure.
Speaking about the redevelopment of the JPN Library Complex, the Lt Governor informed that the facility will be converted into an ultra-modern, world class library. To be developed by NDMC, in the heart of New Delhi, the JPN Library will house more than 30000 books with a seating capacity of 200.
The JPN Library will have a total area of 2250 sq.mtrs over three-storeys of 755 Sq.mtrs each and will be constructed at a cost of `6.81 crore.
While CPWD has provided an amount of `2.16 crore for the Library, the balance amount will be borne by NDMC.
The fully air-conditioned Library building will also have an Auditorium on the ground floor and will be disabled friendly.
On the occasion, chairman NDMC, and other senior officers of NDMC were present.
