The Delhi government has announced a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the capital’s historic Walled City, aiming to improve civic infrastructure while safeguarding its unique architectural and cultural identity. The initiative seeks to transform Old Delhi into a major heritage tourism hub, balancing conservation with modern urban needs.
Old Delhi—also known as Shahjahanabad—is among the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the country. It is home to dense residential neighbourhoods, centuries-old monuments, and some of Delhi’s most vibrant commercial markets.
CM to Lead Redevelopment Efforts
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has assumed charge as Chairperson of the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC), a special-purpose vehicle tasked with coordinating redevelopment and conservation works across the Walled City area.
According to the government, redevelopment will focus on infrastructure upgrades without altering the historical character of the precinct. The plan includes improving public spaces, enhancing tourist facilities, and addressing long-standing issues such as congestion and visual clutter.
Key Interventions Planned
As part of the proposed strategy:
- Overhead electrical wires in narrow lanes will be shifted underground to improve safety and streetscape aesthetics
- A traffic management plan will be prepared for congested commercial zones
- Multi-level parking facilities will be explored to reduce on-street parking pressure
- Earlier redevelopment proposals will be reviewed for better coordination and execution
Projects under reassessment include key heritage corridors such as Chandni Chowk, the Jama Masjid precinct, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg, and the stretch between Delhi Gate and Kashmere Gate.
Calls for Stronger Heritage Protection
Traders and local stakeholders have urged authorities to prioritise action against illegal construction and damage to heritage buildings, which have long threatened the historic fabric of the area. Representatives of Chandni Chowk’s trading community have stressed the need for strict enforcement alongside redevelopment.
About SRDC
The SRDC was constituted in 2008 to bring together agencies such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Public Works Department, and the Tourism Department. Officials acknowledged that the corporation had remained largely inactive in recent years due to administrative and coordination challenges, which the current government now aims to address.