After almost a decade-long wait, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation claimed that redevelopment work in the 150-year-old iconic Town Hall in old Delhi will start in the next nine months, with the tender likely to be floated in a week’s time.
North Delhi Mayor Preety Agarwal said that the detailed project report (DPR) and the request for proposal (RFP) of the project for inviting bids from consultants have been prepared, and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation is now in the process of floating the tender.
“Our aim is to get the project started in the next nine months. This redevelopment project has been stuck for several years now and we do not want it to suffer any further,” said Ms. Agarwal.
She said strict deadlines have been set for the tenders so that the project is not delayed any further. The project has seen many roadblocks over the last few years. The plan, which was floated around 2008, has been stalled in the past with problems either with the DPR or with agreements with private partners.
Funds reserved
After many holdups, the Centre in early 2014 has also announced a ₹50 crore heritage renewal project for the building. The funds were, however, reserved for the lack of a detailed DPR by the civic body.
The redevelopment plan seeks a conservation of the Victorian-era mansion that will house a museum, retelling the history of Delhi — especially the Walled City — which would be the centre-piece of the attractions that are to be built.
A craft bazaar, a dancing fountain, a maze, light and sound programmes, street food, children’s activity area, a boutique hotel, food court, courtyard and sculpture garden, digital library, lecture rooms, fine dining areas, are also to be developed in its premises.
Built in 1860s, and known originally as the Lawrence Institute, the Town Hall was the seat of the city’s municipality till 2012, before moving to the Civic Centre in central Delhi’s Minto Road after trifurcation of the civic body.
The Town Hall has been lying in neglect for a long time and the last restoration plan was to breathe a fresh lease of life into it, but “bureaucratic delays” meant it had to be shelved.
