With a booming nightlife, Connaught Place could turn into Bangkok

As Connaught Place gets back its nightlife, Jalaj Srivastava is beaming with happiness. "I always favoured a vibrant nightlife for CP, including night markets," says the ex-Chairperson, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the man during whose tenure CP's 'restaurant phenomenon' first began. "World over, brightly-lit open night markets like at China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Korea, etc, are very popular. Food is the centre of attraction at these places, drawing youth and tourists, and contributing to growth of the local economy phenomenally," he reasons.

Also read: Connaught Place is back as the hottest place to enjoy Delhi's nightlife

Exactly the same was planned for CP, the 1933-built British-era heritage shopping arcade, when it underwent an extensive redevelopment plan in 2013. "After we got over with tucking in the cables and fitting in the tiles, we initiated the business of cosmetic beautification. The next challenge was bringing back customers to the area," informs Srivastava.

It had virtually been deserted by shoppers thanks to its warzone look with all the digging. "Soon, we got the monumental flag at Central Park and Raahgiri on Sunday mornings. With so much movement and a picturesque view available from the CP offices, birth of restaurants was only the natural progression," he explains.

Since then, it's literally been a restocafe boom. Paris-style Al Fresco dining areas were planned. Even spots were identified at Plaza Cinema and Odeon. Somehow, it could not take off. With complex changes in law needing to be made and slow-moving bureaucratic machinery, the pieces could not fall into place.

Also read: A dash of Kerala in the middle of Connaught Place

"It will be a huge task. Great changes will have to be made, so much so that the face of CP will transform to something we have not seen before. Adequate security will have to be provided, especially for women. Festivals will particularly be a problematic time," says an NDMC official, adding: "Traffic will have to be managed accordingly. Sanitation will be an issue. It is easier said than done."

Several other plans which could magically turn CP into Bangkok are also lying idle. These include a sound-and-light show at the Central Park, having a fountain there which could be looked at and enjoyed from CP's corridors and arcades.