Chandni Chowk: Sisodia launches revamp project

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 7

Laying the foundation stone for Rs 65-crore redevelopment project of Chandni Chowk here, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said the re-construction and decongestion of the area will boost tourism and trade by manifolds in the national capital.

ASisodia assured traders in the city that there will be no harm to their business during the execution of project which is expected to be completed in 12 to 18 months.

Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain said the Delhi government will run an electric tram on this stretch and parking facility for around 1,500 cars would be developed at Dangal Ground.

Once the project is completed, only non-motorised vehicles will be allowed in Chandni Chowk to ease traffic except emergency vehicles during the day, Jain added.

“Chandni Chowk cannot be imagined without traders. No development plan will be made that will hamper the business of traders,” Sisodia said while hitting the central government led by BJP without naming over the Goods and Services Tax and sealing drive in the national capital.

Sisodia claimed it is the AAP government that is concerned about traders more than any other government in the country.

“Today is a historic day for Chandni Chowk. We want to ensure that when tourists come to this place they don’t get stuck in traffic,” Sisodia earlier said.

He said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal could not attend the foundation stone laying ceremony as he is not well.

Jain said, the much-awaited project is being talked about for the past 10-12 years, but no progress was made. “Many people say that Chandni Chowk is very crowded, some see that as a challenge, but the implementation of this project will open an opportunity for the traders. Once the whole area from Red fort to Fatehpur Masjid is redeveloped and beautified, five crore citizens living in Delhi-NCR will visit some day or the other within a year. Imagine the kind of business it will generate for the traders,” he added.