The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday urged Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal to review the ongoing redevelopment of Chandni Chowk alleging lack of mandatory clearances.
In a letter to Mr. Baijal, Delhi Urban Development Minister Satyendra Jain, and Chandni Chowk MP and Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, Chandni Chowk councillor Ravinder Kumar and Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor drew their attention to the Archaeological Survey of India’s refusal to allow the use of the Red Fort grounds as a car parking as proposed under the redevelopment plan.
“Drawing the attention of the senior authorities to the Shahjahanabad Vikas Board’s failure to obtain mandatory sanction of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission [DUAC] for the redevelopment plan before starting the construction work in the most unplanned manner, we have urged the L-G to order immediate review of the plan,” Mr. Kapoor said.
Car parking
Providing car parking at the grounds, the BJP leaders alleged, was the focal point of the redevelopment plan. That the ASI has refused to allow this now, they argued, made it clear that the “plan was brought in haste”.
Redevelopment of Chandni Chowk from Lal Jain Mandir to Fatehpuri Masjid, which revolves around development of pedestrian and non-motorised traffic facilities, will be executed at a cost of ₹65.63 crore. “The negligence with which construction work is under way has brought Chandni Chowk to a virtual standstill. Be it crossing the road or transportation of traders’ goods, everything stands messed up,” the letter states.
Central verge
As part of the plan, the BJP alleged, the 80 feet-wide Chandni Chowk road was being reduced to two stretches of 15 feet, and the construction on a central verge “without DUAC’s approval and will totally diminish the glory” of the Red Fort up to Fatehpuri as per the “historic...Chandni Chowk as envisioned by Shahjahan while laying the baazar”, they added.
