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The Delhi government is preparing to restructure the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) to improve the condition of the Walled City and restore its historic identity. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reviewed current issues in Old Delhi and directed officials to speed up civic upgrades, including the addition of women's toilets in Chandni Chowk. She plans to bring heritage experts into the SRDC to guide conservation-focused work. Senior officials and local representatives agreed that redevelopment has been delayed for years due to inactive systems and overlapping jurisdiction among agencies.
The Delhi government is moving ahead with its plan to revive the Walled City by reorganising the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC). Chief Minister Rekha Gupta held a detailed review meeting with senior officials and elected representatives to assess existing conditions in Old Delhi, especially Chandni Chowk and other parts of the historic core. She said that the aim is to restore the old city's character while improving day-to-day civic facilities for residents, shopkeepers, and visitors. Advertisement
During the meeting, Gupta asked officials to accelerate pending work. She specifically highlighted the shortage of clean and accessible women's toilets in the Chandni Chowk market and instructed the agencies to set up more Pink Toilets to ease the situation. She also said that coordinated action is needed across departments to avoid delays in maintenance and public services.
As part of the new plan, the SRDC will be reconstituted to include experienced heritage conservation professionals who can guide sensitive redevelopment. Gupta stated that all major initiatives related to the Walled City will be routed through the updated body to maintain quality and consistency. This move aims to give the organisation a clearer mandate and stronger technical support.
Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, and officers from multiple departments-including the Public Works Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Police, and SRDC-were present during the review. There was broad agreement that heritage-linked work in Old Delhi has been pending for years and requires renewed focus. Khandelwal pointed out that the body had become inactive under earlier governments, and suggested a structural reset along with a more suitable name that reflects its updated purpose.
Sood emphasised that specialised conservation companies should be involved in the process. He also mentioned that to protect the architectural appearance of old structures, the government should limit new construction and restrict commercial activity inside historic buildings unless necessary. He stated that this approach would help maintain the original look of the Walled City.
Gupta acknowledged that a major challenge in Chandni Chowk is that the area is divided between three different agencies, which often slows down work. She said that the reorganised SRDC would help streamline decisions and reduce overlap. Past reports also indicate that after certain administrative changes in previous years, the corporation gradually became dormant and many heritage projects came to a halt.
The renewed push comes at a time when concerns have been raised about inadequate maintenance despite earlier upgrades like the pedestrianisation of Chandni Chowk. Observers have noted that several stretches require consistent upkeep. Gupta also mentioned that the government has already taken up restoration work across multiple heritage sites in the city, with four of the fourteen sites completed recently.
Source PTI
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