City to showcase Mughal, colonial past

Maneesh Pandey / TNN / Nov 10, 2005, 01:52 IST

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Delhi Tourism and MCD have rolled up their sleeves to give the city a makeover ahead of the Commonwealth games.

NEW DELHI: Incredible Delhi. Where every day is a festival, every night a celebration! Sounds too good to be true for a city with a short tourist season and limited popularised options?
Not quite, as Delhi Tourism and MCD have rolled up their sleeves to give the city a makeover ahead of the mega games, realising the urgent need to market Delhi to the Commonwealth nations.
Coming out of the jaded Red Fort-Qutub Minar circuit, the thrust will be on making global tourists soak in the city's rich Mughal and colonial past, through its ornate havelis, historical markets, lip-smacking street food and even mehndiwaalis.
"Encouraged by the potential of the Hauz Khas project, we have decided to experiment the same way in the Paharganj area, restore parts of Nizamuddin Dargah and restructure the famous Paranthe Wali Gali and Kinari Bazaar in Chandni Chowk," said Delhi tourism minister Arvinder Singh Lovely.

As part of this project, tourism counters, information kiosks, signages, food and crafts stalls will be put up in these areas. The chaotic bylanes of Paharganj, Chandni Chowk and Nizammuddin will wear a more regulated look with organised traffic, landscaping and clean and secure environs, added Lovely.
According to estimates, a 26 per cent rise in tourist arrival is expected during the first half of 2005 when the Commonwealth Games begins.

The Delhi Tourism and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi want to make the most of this in coordination with Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (IDFC). The projects will be funded by the Government of India as part of the preparations for the Games.
MCD commissioner Rakesh Mehta said: "In Chandni Chowk, this restoration-cum-refurbishment work will be carried out in Dariba Kalan, Paranthe Wali Gali and Kinari Bazaar.
We will begin by putting all those hanging wires underground and restore the modern facades of buildings to their Mughal grandeur. In Nizamuddin, the proposed streetscaping will result in a more organised environ, making it more appealing to tourists."
At Paharganj, the thrust will be more on regulating the working of pigeon-hole budget hotels and guesthouses. Delhi Tourism chief Ramesh Negi said: "With the Games in 2010, this area holds the key for budget tourists.
There are about 500 hotels/guesthouses here with 15,000 rooms. What is required is bringing the whole neighbourhood here within a structured tourism network."
Added IDFC's Prem Subramaniam: "This would call for a licence regime, streamlined traffic through pedestrian zones, better hygiene and drainage facilities and unhindered power supply."
The idea is to transform these pockets of history into tourist hotspots. If Thailand can do it why can't we, asked Subramaniam, citing its famous Kantoke dinner, which is a live entertainment package for tourists, showcasing the country's history and vibrant culture.
"Such options here would extend the Capital's entertainment package beyond the evenings and give tourists a reason to come back," he said.

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