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Chandni Chowk's redevelopment aimed to restore its Mughal-era grandeur, transforming it into a pedestrian-friendly zone.
Despite the makeover, the area struggles with maintenance and overcrowding, and traffic restrictions remain unimplemented, leading to chaos.
Chandni Chowk, the famous ‘Moonlit Square’ designed and built by Mughal princess Jahanara Begum in the 17th century, was one of the hallmarks of the Mughal capital of Shajahanabad or Old Delhi.
It was one of the largest wholesale markets in Shahjahanabad, the very pulsating heart of the city.
In September 2021, the first phase of the Chandni Chowk redevelopment project, which aimed to restore the area to its former grandeur, was completed.
The emphasis of the first phase was on creating a pedestrian-priority street with red sandstone and granite paving, seating areas, and a no-traffic zone during the day.
The photo above by Vikas Choudhary, shows the Chandni Chowk neighbourhood.
The project transformed the area, which stretches for 1.3 kilometres from Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid, into a pedestrian-friendly zone.
However, the redeveloped area has been facing challenges.
There is a lack of maintenance, according to locals. Even more importantly, there are still overcrowding issues in the area, besides a lack of implementation of traffic restrictions.
The photo above by Vikas Choudhary, shows Chandni Chowk’s current chaos.
The first phase had also intended to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the neighbourhood, keeping in mind its Mughal past. However, it faced opposition from architects, urban planners and historians who felt Chandni Chowk’s heritage could be impacted.