New Delhi: The city is set to get a PM Ekta Mall. The flagship cultural hub, to be built for Rs 100 crore, will be a platform to promote swadeshi products, local crafts and cuisines from across the country.
The project, proposed by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), will be developed under the Centre's scheme for special assistance to states for capital investment, which provides them with interest-free loans repayable for over 50 years. The Union govt has earmarked Rs 5,000 crore for building Ekta Malls across the country, with each state eligible for a minimum financial support of Rs 100 crore.
The mall in Delhi, which will function as a permanent marketplace while providing artisans with direct access to consumers, will be located in a financial hub or a high-footfall area to ensure visibility and commercial viability, said an official. "The potential locations include major commercial or tourism hubs, such as Netaji Subhash Place in Pitampura, near Dilli Haat in INA, or areas around Majnu Ka Tilla, where the corporation already has administrative facilities," the official added.
The mall will include 36 stalls representing different states and Union territories, enabling them to showcase signature products under a ‘one district, one product' initiative. "The concept aims at highlighting unique crafts and specialities associated with each district in India, thereby creating a national platform for local producers," said the official.
Apart from retail spaces, the mall is set to have a food court serving regional cuisines; exhibition areas; spaces for cultural performances and events, conference and summit facilities; public conveniences and parking areas. The complex will also feature open spaces for recreational activities. The project will cover a minimum area of 1,200 square metres and will be designed as a blend of local architectural elements with modern facilities.
The mall, which is expected to become a hub for cultural exchange while promoting India's traditional crafts and rural industries, is expected to create employment opportunities, strengthen rural artisan networks and boost tourism in the capital. "It will provide artisans and small producers from across the country a platform to sell their products in Delhi, reinforcing govt's push for
Make in India and swadeshi products," said an official.
DTTDC has floated a tender to appoint a consultant to draw up the conceptual design, pre-project report and project report of the mall. It will also assist in securing approvals from govt agencies and facilitate implementation of the project.
Alok K N Mishra is a New Delhi–based journalist with The Times of...
Read MoreAlok K N Mishra is a New Delhi–based journalist with The Times of India. He has a deep interest in politics and in exploring how governance can be made to work better for the middle class and the poor. He also enjoys analyzing and predicting national political trends.
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