Delhi Town Hall building gets a new lease of life as the Govt clears file
Under the Rs 50-crore heritage renewal project cleared by the Ministry of Tourism, the Town Hall is to get a makeover; developing the historic landmark as a major tourist attraction.
Although the project has been proposed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), under whose jurisdiction the nearly 150-year-old building falls, the funds for the same is subject to submission of a detailed project report by the civic body to the ministry.
Speaking on the matter, Yogendra Singh Mann, NDMC Public Relations Officer said, “The Town Hall restoration and renewal project has been cleared by the Ministry of Tourism. The Rs 50-crore fund from the Centre, however, will be released by them subject to the submission of the DPR.”
Considered as one of the most ambitious projects by NDMC, it will see the heritage building in Delhi’s historic Chandani Chowk area come to house a museum and a library, among others. The complex will also have a state-of the-art conference hall, children’s corner, boutique hotel, multi-cuisine restaurants and audio-visual and meeting rooms.
Mr. Mann further elaborated that, “The museum will be themed on Delhi’s history and heritage. Steps will also be taken to offer people a great audio-visual experience which would complement the architectural grandeur of the place.” He added, “The building adjoining the main block will be developed as a heritage boutique hotel. We want visitors to experience the history of this place dating back to the 1860s,” he added.
Lawrence Institute
The Hall is known as the Lawrence Institute and was the original seat of the Delhi Municipality. After trifurcation of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, it housed the North Corporation until it shifted to the swanky, multi- storeyed Civic Centre on Minto Road. NDMC wants to preserve the 19th century building. An NDMC official said, the aim will be to “remain loyal” to the original design, which means the restoration work will take time. He further added, “The building was originally used by the British to hold public meetings. Built in yellow-painted brick and stone, and carved white stone trim, it was bought by the municipality around 1866 for its use.”
The ornate columns, arched windows and the carvings on the porticos are an additional attraction at this historic sentinel of Delhi, which has seen the eras of tramways and Victorian clock towers pass by in front of it.
Mann added, “The idea behind the project is to immerse people in history. The plan is to return to the original design and layout, including the old gates and fences, which would ebes complemented and supplemented by new amenities inside.” NDMC also plans to create an underground parking in the Gandhi park area lying behind the Hall. Speaking on this, Mann said “An underground parking has also been proposed in the Azadi Park area on the Hall premises, where the statue of Gandhi currently stands. As per the plan, the statue will be reinstalled after work on the parking space is completed.”
Other attractions proposed at the 16-acre heritage complex include a crafts bazaar, open-air theatre, sculpture garden, art galleries, exhibition cent res, cafes and landscaped gardens.
Source: Deccan Herald
art galleries, Azadi Park, cafes and landscaped gardens, crafts bazaar, Delhi Town Hall Chandni Chowk, Delhi Town Hall renewal project, exhibition centres, Lawrence Institute, Minto Road, NDMC, open air theatre, sculpture garden, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Town Hall
