Old Delhi gets a hub
Chandni Chowk’s 160‑year‑old Town Hall is being redeveloped into a Global Heritage Hub to showcase Delhi’s art, cuisine and culture — a move that aims to boost tourism in Old Delhi (x.com). Social posts are also spotlighting nearby ancient sites and temples — Maa Kalkaji, the Pandav‑era Bhairav Temple at Purana Qila, Hanuman temples — as the area leans on heritage to attract visitors (x.com).
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta flagged the redevelopment during the Delhi budget speech for 2026–27 on March 25, 2026. (hindustantimes.com) The Town Hall complex was completed in 1866 and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) moved its offices out to the Civic Centre in 2011–12, leaving the building largely vacant since then. (hindustantimes.com) The MCD hired a private consultant in September 2025 for a three‑month structural study of the building, with the consultancy contract reported at about ₹8.5 lakh. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Officials have involved the Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) to prepare proposals and said agencies that have worked with the Archaeological Survey of India or the Aga Khan Trust for Culture will be eligible to bid. (newindianexpress.com) MCD documents and officials estimate the physical execution phase could take around six months once an implementing agency is appointed. (hindustantimes.com) Cost projections for conservation have varied widely in recent proposals, from pilot repairs of about ₹3–4.5 crore to broader restoration estimates exceeding ₹100 crore in newer plans. (news9live.com) Nearby heritage anchors that planners and promotional material highlight include Purana Qila and the Bhairav temple immediately behind it, while Kalkaji Mandir is a major ancient shrine in the wider area; civic drives to clean and beautify Chandni Chowk have already been reported ahead of high‑profile cultural events. (wikipedia.org) (tourmyindia.com) (ani.org) (en.wikipedia.org)
