The Indian Express 21.08.2012
Civic agency wakes up, Bengali Market to get a makeover
The market, built by Bengali Mal Lohia in 1930, is one of the oldest bazaars in Delhi
Bengali Market, one of the city’s oldest bazaars located in
Central Delhi, is set to get a facelift, with the New Delhi Municipal
Council (NDMC) deciding to redevelop it closely on the lines of
Connaught Place and Khan Market.
The authorities had so far neglected this market, called “a poor
cousin of Connaught Place” because of its proximity to the city’s
most-famous shopping promenade, sources said.
The half-a-km, narrow market lane has wide holes, poorly lit and
the fountain on the roundabout has stopped functioning long ago.
The NDMC has proposed to build new granite walkways on both sides
of the lane, install decorative electric light poles and revamp the
roundabout.
“The fountain will be removed from the roundabout since water
supply has been snapped long ago.The roundabout will be made smaller. A
green mount holding either a public art or an aesthetic statue will be
installed at the centre with decorative light poles surrounding it,” a
civic agency official said.
“At present, the traders are taking care of and using the space
in front of their shops. Once the walkways were built, nobody would be
allowed to keep goods and merchandise there. These will be kept free for
pedestrians and shoppers,” a source said.
The market, built by Bengali Mal Lohia in 1930, is famous for its snack joints. The makeover will cost the NDMC Rs 30 lakh.