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.