162 crore revamp for biggest garments hub

Gandhi Nagar market, a hub of readymade garments and textiles in east Delhi, will be transformed from a heavily congested area to a redeveloped shopping location by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi at a cost of 162 crore in the first phase, according to officials aware of the matter.

- Paras Singh

The redevelopment, which will be done out in two phases, will be carried on the lines of a Chandni Chowk market revamp completed in September 2021.

The timeline for the project is yet to be finalised.

The first phase of the Gandhi Nagar market revamp project will include development of two new multilevel parking lots, overhaul of road and drainage infrastructure, a new fire safety system as well as deployment of golf carts for last-mile connectivity, the officials said.

The second phase will focus on beautification and facade enhancement, they added.

The project is part of the market redevelopment plan announced by the Delhi government in its 2022-23 Rozgar Budget. It was earlier planned to be carried out by the industries department.

According to a communication dated September 14 by MCD commissioner Gyanesh Bharti, a copy of which HT has seen, the Delhi government wishes that MCD execute the project as the area is located under its jurisdiction, and the industries department has as no expertise in such work. The industries department is, however, likely to fund the project, the communication states.

The aim of the project is to give a facelift to the market by redeveloping roads and lanes, sewer lines, parking space, public utilities, make the market more export-friendly.