New Delhi: The 50-year-old Shankar Market in outer circle in CP will finally be given a facelift by NDMC along the same lines as the rest of CP. The market, famous for its cloth shops, has been in a dilapidated condition for years due to poor upkeep.
According to NDMC officials, redevelopment work of Shankar Market will start by July and is expected to be complete in eight months. The cost of this project will be Rs 1.2 crore. Said an NDMC official: "Redevelopment work at the market will include restoration of outer facade of shops, putting up uniform shop signboards, improvement of the flooring, revamp of lighting, and making necessary changes to give an orderly look to its exterior. Adequate parking arrangements will also be made."
NDMC has undertaken the project in partnership with traders of the market who will bear 20% of the entire cost, according to officials. Ramesh Handa, vice-president of Shankar Market, said, ‘‘As the entire CP was being improved, we wanted improvement of our market also. We will bear some portion of the cost of the entire project.’’
The market has reportedly suffered a lot of encroachment and according to sources, the process of removing them might pose a problem for the NDMC. The neglected open spaces in the market would be turned into leisure zones with fancy lights, flooring and designer benches to attract customers. Modern public toilets would also be constructed on a BOT basis. Shankar Market comprises 110 shops on the ground floor and 53 stalls and 53 commercial flats on the upper floor.
Said an NDMC official: ‘‘We even planned redevelopment of the nearby markets to ensure uniformity. In case of Yusuf Zai market, we decided to introduce two columns/pillars before each shop as a unique character easily identifiable with CP’s architecture.’’
