Chandni Chowk Ke Charche: The Redevelopment of Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk has remained one of the most important streets of the historical walled city  of Shahjahanabad. Founded in 1639 by the Mughals and built through the colonial and post-Independence eras, the street is a bustling marketplace. Now known as Old Delhi or Purani Dilli, it is part of the metropolis of Delhi.

A child takes care of his father’s rickshaw at Chandni Chowk

The stretch from Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid, around 1.3 km, is being redeveloped as a pedestrian and non-motorized-vehicle street. With old and heritage buildings on both sides of the street, the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk is an extraordinary project in terms of complexities of infrastructure and habitation. 

A newly pedestrianized area in the historic Chandni Chowk

Local residents and traders have been waiting for over 15 years to see an encroachment-free, utilities-equipped, clean and green area that is easily accessible to shoppers. Traders and residents in Chandni Chowk are excited about the redevelopment work being carried out in the area, which is expected to be completed by November 2020.

The traditional ear cleaners, kaan maeliye, of Old Delhi