Havelis being 'torn down' in old Delhi, alleges Goel

Alleging that many havelis in old Delhi were being "torn down" to make way for markets, Union Minister Vijay Goel today said he will undertake a march on July 5 to highlight the precarious situation of heritage in the area.

Addressing a press conference at his office here, Goel said through his walk in Chandni Chowk, along with local people, he would also demand action from the Delhi government, and the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) to save the havelis and "prevent the area from illegal construction".

In the previous survey of Delhi government, 551 havelis were listed. Many of these havelis are now being "destroyed" and converted into markets.

"Corrupt officials of the municipal corporation are not able to prevent these havelis from being torn down nor are they able to stop illegal constructions," he alleged.

The minister also hit out at the AAP government, saying it has "done nothing" for the heritage preservation in old Delhi and just "defamed and protested against the L-G".

Goel also claimed that he had complained to the municipal commissioner and the deputy commissioner of the area about the rest of the havelis of Chandni Chowk, "but no action has been taken".

Incidentally, the area falls under the north Delhi Municipal Corporation, which is ruled by the Goel's party, the BJP.

Chandni Chowk, which should have been included in the UNESCO Heritage List, has turned into a "dirty slum", he alleged.

"I will do a foot march to save the havelis and heritage of Chandni Chowk on July 5," he said.

SRDC is a special purpose vehicle established with the main objective to promote conservation of built and natural heritage in Delhi.

Chandni Chowk area had been taken up under the SRDC plan years ago, but no progress has been made on it.