Old Delhi's Town Hall to be redeveloped on PPP model: Mayor

After its Centre-funded restoration plan got shelved, the NDMC has decided to redevelop the iconic 150-year-old Town Hall in old Delhi through public-private partnership, the civic body today said.
North Delhi Mayor Preety Agarwal said the redevelopment of the Town Hall in Chandni Chowk -- the headquarters of the erstwhile unified MCD -- into a centre of cultural and social heritage would be taken up on a PPP model.
"An in-principle approval has been accorded for the PPP project," she said.
North Delhi Municipal Commissioner Praveen Gupta said the restoration was initially planned to be funded by the Union Tourism Ministry but "could not be materialised on that front and now it would be developed on a PPP mode".

He said if all goes well, the fresh project would be taken up in the "next nine months and is likely to be completed within two years".
Gupta said apart from depicting the history of Delhi, the redevelopment project is also expected to earn good revenue for the corporation.

Agarwal said the Town Hall would be redeveloped as an attractive tourist destination with "international standards", after which the city landmark would emerge as a centre of cultural and social heritage, depicting the history, culture and the life of Delhi.
She highlighted that the objective of the redevelopment of is to provide a wholesome experience to the visitors.

The redeveloped complex will have a craft baazar, dancing fountain, the maze, light and sound programmes, street food, children activity area, boutique hotel, food court, courtyard and sculpture garden, digital library, lecture rooms, a museum, fine dining areas and much more at the premises.
The mayor said the museum would be the main tourist attraction and it would occupy an area of about 1,574 sqm on the ground floor.
"It would be dedicated to the history of Delhi and will display a number of historical and cultural artefacts" she added.
The Centre had in early 2014 cleared the Rs 50 crore heritage renewal project for the nearly 150-year-old building, but the fund release was subject to preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) by the NDMC.

Built in 1860s, and known originally as the Lawrence Institute, the Hall was the seat of the Delhi Municipality. After trifurcation of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, it housed the North Corporation until it shifted to swanky, multi-storeyed Civic Centre on Minto Road in New Delhi.