Khan Market, is no doubt a ‘happening’ place, but the hazardous conditions in which the shops in the area are operating have put life and property of many at stake.
Despite having a redevelopment plan at hand, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has been sitting on it for two years since. The plan of the civic body seems to have got lost amidst tussles between the Khan Market Traders Association (KMTA), Khan Market Welfare Association (KMWA), land and Development Office (l&DO) and the agency itself.
“The redevelopment plan is in limbo because of a lot of issues. The KMWA and the KMTA never seem to reach a consensus. Besides, they do not agree to many of our methods of redevelopment, like paying for some of the work, for instance. Developing a new parking lot, which is a part of the redevelopment plan, is also stuck since the l&DO is quoting an exceptionally high price on the piece of land. There are several litigations pending as well,” said a senior official.
Since most shopowners have increased retail space by demolishing the load-bearing beams and whittling down the width of walls, the market urgently needs a structurally safe revamp. Moreover, fire safety measures too have been grossly neglected and the permission of the civic agency to utilise the first floor for commercial purposes has increased the load on its civic infrastructure by manifold.
“It’s not only the owners who are to blame. If NDMC allowed the conversion of the first floor from residential to commercial use, then they should have strictly adhered to a proper layout plan and implemented it,” said Sanjiv Mehra, president, KMTA.
On the other hand, Arjun Kapur, president, KMWA, said, “The buildings are so old. They have been functional this way since the 1950s. The NDMC should have swiftly carried out the plan.”
In 2011 itself, the Bhure lal Committee appointed by the Supreme Court had highlighted the issue of fire safety and segregation of retail units into smaller units.
But, the NDMC took action on this only on paper. The redevelopment plan had suggested major alterations like upgrading sewer and water lines, streamlining electrical and cable network to make the Market safer.