Revamped Connaught Place awaits its grand unveiling
As destiny had it, the long pending Connaught Place (CP) Redevelopment Project — initiated during the previous Sheila Dikshit regime — may be inaugurated by current Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has requested the new CM, who is also a member of the NDMC, to throw open the refurbished CP for the public on Monday. Inordinate delay in redevelopment of CP, a key Commonwealth Games project, was a major poll plank of the Aam Aadmi Party as well as the BJP, who had alleged rampant corruption in its execution.
“We have invited Arvind Kejriwal for inaugurating the refurbished CP. We have not got any confirmation from his office as yet but we are hopeful he will attend the function,” said Atul Bhargawa, president, New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA). Being the Chief Minister, Kejriwal is also a council member of the NDMC which is responsible for the maintenance of the commercial hub. Besides, he is also the MlA of New Delhi constituency.
With the latest development, the Connaught Place Redevelopment Project works, which had missed seven deadlines, will officially be over. Even though the civic agency claims of having taken over the work from Engineers India limited (EIl), consultant for the project, some officials said that the company is still finishing the last cabling work in the area.
Inauguration of the renovated CP is part of NDMC’s centenary celebrations, which the civic body is organising in collaboration with NDTA. A concert by singer Kailash Kher has been organised for Monday’s extravaganza. The concert will begin at 6 pm at the Central Park.
The week-long celebrations witnessed events such as shopping carnival and food and film festivals. On Sunday, a vintage car rally was held at E Block. While visitors had a gala time at a nomadic fair held over a week’s time, many are awaiting a kite festival which is likely to take place on January 1.