In a significant move to boost infrastructure development in the national capital, the Delhi government has decided to reconstitute the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) to accelerate the redevelopment of Old Delhi. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made this announcement following a high-level meeting on Wednesday that focused on revitalizing the historic Walled City area.
High-Level Meeting Sets Revival in Motion
The crucial meeting was attended by Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood along with senior officials from various departments. During the discussions, it was noted that the SRDC had remained inactive in recent years, which significantly slowed down planned improvements in the iconic Chandni Chowk area and surrounding localities.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized the government's commitment to restoring the historic character of Shahjahanabad while simultaneously improving civic facilities for residents and visitors. The revamped corporation will include heritage and conservation experts to ensure that redevelopment work preserves the area's rich cultural legacy.
Addressing Administrative Challenges
Officials identified multiple overlapping agencies as one of the primary reasons for delays in reconstituting SRDC. This administrative complexity had hampered coordinated efforts toward the area's development. The newly reconstituted body will serve as the main agency for implementing comprehensive revitalization projects throughout the Walled City.
In an interesting development, Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal suggested changing the name of SRDC during the meeting, though specific details about the proposed new name were not immediately disclosed.
Focus on Civic Amenities and Women's Safety
Demonstrating immediate action-oriented approach, Chief Minister Gupta directed concerned departments to expedite various development works. A key focus area addressed was the shortage of women's toilets in the area. The CM specifically instructed officials to construct new pink toilets to address this critical infrastructure gap and enhance women's safety and convenience.
The reconstitution of SRDC marks a renewed commitment from the Delhi government to transform Old Delhi into a world-class heritage destination while ensuring modern civic amenities for its inhabitants. The involvement of heritage experts in the revamped corporation indicates a balanced approach that values both conservation and development.
This initiative represents one of the most comprehensive efforts in recent years to address the long-standing infrastructure challenges in one of Delhi's most historically significant areas, potentially setting a benchmark for urban redevelopment projects in other heritage cities across India.
