While the rainbow colors and murals on its walls have been well received by visitors, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is now swiftly moving ahead with its redevelopment plan of the old Shankar Market in Connaught Place. In a bid to make it at par with posh markets like Khan Market, the civic agency has chalked out a complete redevelopment plan for Shankar Market. The plan includes upgrading the parking space, reworking on its façade, installing artistic street furniture and creating an attractive food court.
In June, the NDMC had conducted a survey of Shankar Market, the origin of which dates back to the pre-Independence era. It was after this survey that, it drafted a detailed redevelopment plan for the market - the first step for which was to paint it in eye catching art to attract the younger population. Having done that, now the NDMC has decided to upgrade the parking spaces in the market first. “The parking area in front of Kendriya Bhandar will be improved substantially with state-of-the art infrastructure and facilities. This will be done by DIMTS,” said a senior NDMC official.
To increase the footfall in Shankar Market, the civic agency has also decided to reduce the parking rates in the area. This decision has been taken despite the fact that parking in all other areas in CP and Janpath had recently been doubled. “The parking category has been reduced from A to B wherein people will be charged a minimal amount of Rs 10 instead of Rs 20 at Shankar Market. Garbage dumps at the parking lots shall be cleared,” added the official.
The civic agency will also create a grand entry to the market. “An attractive Welcome Arch will be erected at the entry to the market. The arch will have exquisite designing on both sides that will highlight the presence of the market,” said another official.
New toilets will be built in the market while the existing ones will be upgraded. There shall be more number of female toilets. The free areas inside the market complex shall be converted into ‘al fresco’ seating with canopies covering the place. “The empty spaces inside the market will be highlighted by way of some arches and fresco seating. This apart, a food court with six to seven stalls like ice cream arcades, Chinese, Italian and street food will be created. The tables will be covered with colourful parasols,” said an official. Artistic street furniture will be installed as well as all the light posts be replaced with fine iron carvings.