150-yr-old Town Hall restoration to be fast-tracked: North corpn

Standing committee chairman of the north civic body, Mohan Bhardwaj said, “change in government at the Centre stalled further work on the project…”.

The DPR for the project was to be submitted to the ministry by June 30, but is still not ready. “We had a deadline to submit the DPR but delays due to the implementation of the model code of conduct has stalled proceedings…,” north corporation spokesperson Yogendra Singh Mann said.

The corporation is now planning to move things faster with help from the Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), which has been commissioned as a consultant for restoration of the hall. It also planning to meet officials from the Tourism ministry for this purpose.

Post restoration, the Town Hall is also likely to have a state-of-the-art conference hall, children’s corner, boutique hotel, multi-cuisine restaurants and audio-visual and meeting rooms.

Situated in Chandni Chowk, the hall originally housed the Delhi Municipality.

After trifurcation of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, it housed the North Corporation office until it shifted to its new headquarters at the civic centre.

North corporation officials said since the hall is a 19th century building, the project’s aim will be to “remain loyal” to the original design and that restoration will take time.

“The building was originally used by the British to hold public meetings. Built in yellow-painted brick and stone, and carved white stone trim, it was bought by the municipality around 1866 for its use,” Mann said.