Latest news with #ChandniChowkTradersWelfareAssociation
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Crisis on Chandni Chowk's revamped stretch
NEW DELHI: Once projected as a flagship urban renewal initiative that would marry heritage with modernity, the 1.3-km redeveloped stretch of Chandni Chowk—from Lal Jain Mandir to Fatehpuri—now stands as a troubling contradiction. Nearly four years after its grand inauguration in 2021, the iconic corridor paints a picture of neglect and mismanagement. What was once envisioned as a pedestrian-friendly, aesthetically revitalised public space is today a patchwork of issues: homeless individuals, beggars and vagrants occupying the area; rising reports of thefts and drug-related activities; and growing concerns among traders and residents over safety and dwindling footfall. 'The entire project is jeopardised,' says Sanjay Bhargava, president of the Chandni Chowk Traders Welfare Association. 'It's complete jungle raaj—vehicles move freely during prohibited hours, footpaths are completely encroached and the PWD is not acting even when encroachments have been officially declared.' Despite repeated inspections and directives, the stretch continues to be described as a 'site of negligence.' According to Bhargava, unauthorised constructions have disfigured heritage facades, violating guidelines laid out under the approved Phase 2 of the redevelopment plan. The first phase of the Chandni Chowk redevelopment was inaugurated in September 2021 by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The project aimed to restore the grandeur of the Mughal-era marketplace, combining infrastructure upgrades with aesthetic improvements. However, the follow-up Phase 2, focused on façade restoration and improving architectural consistency, remains stalled.
New Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Traders urge Centre to rename Shahjahanabad as Indraprastha amid Delhi name-change push
NEW DELHI: In the wake of multiple name change proposals in Delhi following the BJP's return to power in the 2025 elections, another suggestion has emerged from the Chandni Chowk Traders Welfare Association. Sanjay Bhargava, the association's president, has written to Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, ML Khattar, urging the renaming of Shahjahanabad to Indraprastha. This proposal is part of a broader trend in the city, with areas like Najafgarh, Mohammadpur, and Mustafabad being considered for name changes. Bhargava shared his meeting with Khattar on social media, stating, 'I have requested renaming Shahjahanabad as Indraprastha and suggested revitalising the Walled City to restore its glory and decongest the area.' Shahjahanabad, established in 1638 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, is now popularly known as Old Delhi. Bhargava's suggestion draws from Hindu mythology, where Indraprastha was the capital of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. While the historical connection between ancient Indraprastha and modern Delhi remains debated, Bhargava believes the name change would honour the region's heritage. 'It's clear that the region has a rich and storied history,' he said. However, historian Swapna Liddle, author of Shahjahanabad: Mapping a Mughal City, raised concerns about the proposal's relevance. 'Old Delhi is not officially called Shahjahanabad and the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Project is the only body using that name,' she pointed out.
