Indian Express 21.04.2010
In for facelift: a tale of two markets
Hamari Jamatia Tags : market facelift, delhi Posted: Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 0028 hrs
New delhi: The New Delhi Municipal Council is preparing to approve the expenditure for the second phase of its renovation plan for Khan Market. While the first phase saw upgrade work of pavements in the area, in the second phase the civic body plans to put up uniform signs at all shops, replace sewer pipes and ensure the middle lane of the market, which at present is cluttered with unevenly laid stone, gets a smarter look.The NDMC is in the process of making the middle lane pedestrian-friendly and is planning to lay cobbled granite stones with vitrified tiles.
The middle lane, which has several popular shops, has been neglected for long. It is riddled with sewage pipes, water tanks, manholes that are not levelled off with the road. Officials claim post-renovation, the lane will have a neat look. The surface of the buildings overlooking the lane will also undergo stone cladding.
The other provisions mentioned in phase-II are laying a stormwater drainage line, placing street furniture such as lamp posts, hanging plants, benches, dustbins and walkover lights, and laying of new electric cables. The plan has a budget of nearly Rs 5 crore and it will be placed for consideration before the Council on Wednesday.
The renovation work is expected to complete before the Commonwealth Games begin in October.
Work on Phase-I had begun in December following demands from the Khan Market Traders Association for upgrade and improvement of the market. After several discussions, it was decided during a meeting in 2008 with the chairman of NDMC that the market will be taken up for renovation.
