The plan to redesign petrol pumps in Connaught Place is finally taking shape as the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has flagged off its ‘design competition’ for the same.
Suggested by the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC), conducting the open contest was decided by the civic body in order to finalise the development control norms of these petrol pumps which currently exist in violation of the Master Plan. Once rebuilt, the appearance of these gas stations is expected to be in sync with the heritage buildings of CP.
The entries will be evaluated by a ‘Jury of Examiners’ comprising two members from DUAC and one from the architecture department of NDMC. “Interested architects, structural designers and engineers can send in their models or designs of the canopies by November 5. The canopies will have to be designed keeping in view the façade of the shops in CP as it is a Grade II Heritage Building. The winner will receive a cash price of `2 lakh,” said an official.
The pumps would not only give a uniform look to the recently redeveloped area, but will also be built in such a way that the signage of shops in the background is visible to pedestrians.
CP has seven petrol pumps dating back to colonial India. The fact that they are so old does not only mar the get-up of this shopper’s paradise, but also makes their operation against the norms laid down under MPDs 1961 and 2021. Besides, the size of the property for each pump is much less than what has been specified in the two plans.
“We cannot grant permission to petrol pump owners or petroleum companies to make alterations in the property because the design of the pumps does not meet any guidelines mentioned in either of the two Master Plans. Granting permission would mean approving a property which flouts all the slated norms,” he added. A decision on this was taken by the NDMC after consulting the DUAC and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
Officials informed that the competition comprises of two stages. “In the first stage, five designs will be short-listed and they will be awarded `20,000 each. Only two entries are allowed per participant. The winner will be declared out of the final five and would get `2 lakh,” they said.
The final design will be sent to the DDA for its approval so that it is included in MPD 2021. Meanwhile, the civic agency is also planning to implement the same plan for petrol pumps at other places under its area. The probable pumps where this might be implemented after CP are the ones located at Race Course Road and Rakabganj.