North Delhi Municipal Corporation headquarters won't be made into a museum soon

North MCD has now called for bids to create facility on PPP basis for the Town Hall project.

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Image for representation
Image for representation

North Delhi Municipal Corporation to convert its erstwhile headquarters, Town Hall in Chandni Chowk, into a museum is likely to be delayed again.

The Union tourism ministry, which was expected to provide funds to the tune of Rs 50 crore for its execution, has twice given the cold shoulder to the project.

This week, the corporation passed a proposal to call for bids from companies specialising in designing museums or heritage management to come forth and help it create the facility on a public-private partnership basis finally.

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The idea to transform the heritage building of Town Hall, which was the unified-MCD's headquarters from 1866 during the British Raj to late 2009, has been in the works for five years.

A concept project report on its 'adaptive re-use' was first approved by NMCD on December 16, 2013. It envisaged its redevelopment into a centre of cultural and social heritage depicting the history and life of Delhi from pre-historic to Mughal and post-Independence era.

A senior official said, "Initially, the entire project cost, estimated to be Rs 50 crore was to be borne by the Union ministry of tourism under its 12th Five-Year Plan through central financing assistance."

"However, for some reason or the other, the same could not materialise and the proposal was shelved for want of requisite funds. Efforts to get the funds from the ministry were again revived in 2016 and the detailed project report along with a request letter for assistance was again sent to them, followed by few reminders. But no result could be obtained," he added.

It was then decided by the additional commissioner to take it up on PPP basis as sufficient time had elapsed in pursuing it with the ministry.

The stated objective of the redevelopment project was to provide complete and wholesome family experience at the Town Hall and turn it into an attractive tourist destination of international standards. The complex was to include a museum, a library, activity rooms, and light-and-sound programmes.

An auditorium for cultural activities with historical significance, demonstration room, a fine dining area, street food of Delhi and craft bazaar was also to be created.