New Delhi: After years of inter-agency
wrangling, the historic Walled City will finally get a
facelift with Delhi Government on Thursday announcing a
redevelopment project for the area to be completed by June
next year.
Chief Secretary PK Tripathi said under the first phase
of the project new footpaths will be laid, attractive street
lights will be installed, roads will be repaired and hazardous
overhead power cables will be shifted to underground utility
duct at a total cost of Rs 32 crore.
The plan for redevelopment of the area has been finalised
in consultation with MCD, Delhi Urban Art Commission and
Archeological Survey of India and it will be implented under
overall monitoring of Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation
which was set up to improve infrastructure in the area.
Tripathi said the redevelopment plan, designed by
renowned architect Abhimanyu Dalal, mainly focused on keeping
the heritage nature of the area as it is while ensuring
improvement in basic facilities and infrastructure.
He said Delhi Government will fund the entire project
work on which will commence from December and it will be
completed by June next year.
"There are so many differences among various agencies on
how to redevelop the area. We had made several plans but they
could not be implemented due various hurdles. Now we have
finalised the project identifying the areas where no body has
any objection.
"We have even spoken to the shopkeepers and local people
whose cooperation is vital for implemention of the project,"
Tripathi said.
He said the MCD will lay the six-ft-by-six-ft underground utility ducts while private power distribution company
BSES will shift the wires into it.
Shifting the hanging wires underground in the Walled City
will cost Rs 13.2 crore and it will cover almost all areas in
Chandni Chowk and Daryaganj.
The government had directed BSES to implement the project
before last year`s Commonwealth Games but the discom never
followed the directive.
Asked why the discom has been given financial assistance
when they are under obligation to invest on infrastructure
improvement, Tripathi said, "We have decided to fund the
project because if we do not then they will charge the amount
from the consumers."
A total of 533 kms of cables will be shifted underground
in the Chandni Chowk area while 410 kms of cables will be put
under ground in Daryaganj area. All the transformers in both
the areas will also be put under-ground.
He said a total of Rs 18.94 crore will be spent on laying
new footpaths, repair of roads, installation of new sineages
and street lights and improving the public utilities.
"While carrying out the project, our main focus would be
to retain the heritage environment of the area," said Tripahi.
Officials from SRDC said second phase of the project
would include beautifying the Jama Masjid premises,
conservation of Fatehpuri mosque, preservation of Ghalib ki
Haveli.
They said SRDC will introduce cultural activities such as
traditional crafts bazars, festivals, fairs and kite flying
competitions in the area.
They said sincere efforts would be made to protect all
the monuments and awareness programmes would be launched to
seek cooperation from people to ensure proper upkeep of the
area.
Asked whether the government would restrict the plying of
cycle rickshaws in the area, he said efforts would be made to
ensure strict traffic discipline.
PTI
