The caretaker

In November 2010,MCD officials and departments started the slow process of shifting into a swanky,modern building on Minto Road. MCD got a new address in the form of Civic Centre. This was followed by trifurcation of MCD after the elections in 2012,and Town Hall became a forgotten story.

“I am responsible for proper maintenance and security of Town Hall,the press office opposite it and MCD offices at Kashmere Gate,Kucha Bagh,More Sarai besides the Civic Center. Kucha Bagh used to be MCD’s provident fund office while More Sarai used to have offices of the organisation and management department of MCD. Kashmere Gate housed the Remunerative Cell of the civic body. The building was also known as the Old Hindu College building. I make sure that I visit each of these buildings in a week,” Ramphal says. All these buildings come under North Delhi Municipal Corporation.

Town Hall and other offices in Old Delhi once had over 5,000 MCD employees working out of it. Now,around 16 safai karamcharis,25 personnel from civil defence and six permanent security guards look after Town Hall,the press wing and other MCD office buildings in More Sarai and Kucha Bagh.

“All that remains in Town Hall are some old files,which are yet to be shifted to the relevant corporations. These include records of house proceedings dating back to 1936,and some old layout plans of the building department,” Ramphal says.

With no clarity on what needs to be done with the structure,Ramphal,who has served with MCD for 36 years,says while he likes his new office,he misses the “purani Dilli ka khana”. “We crave for garam jalebis,samosas,chhola-bhatura,lassi now,” he added.

Director of Press and Information,North and East Municipal Corporation,Yogender Mann says,“A committee has been formed to look into the objections and suggestions received from the public on what needs to be done with Town Hall and other buildings in Old Delhi.”

The place where Town Hall stands today was once part of the gardens laid by Shah Jahan’s daughter,Jahanara,which also included a beautiful inn. It was regarded as the seat of British paramountcy by the freedom fighters,and it was close to the Town Hall that they threw a bomb as a procession carrying Lord Hardinge made its way through Chandni Chowk. It also housed a public library and a European club.

The old and new meeting halls in Town Hall are being rented out for holding functions and the empty hallways have been filled with electronic voting machines which are being checked by the State Election Commission. “The civic agency has given the State Election Commission permission to make use of the hallway area for 10-15 days. Also the old and new meeting halls are rented out for a charge of Rs 30,000 and Rs 70,000,respectively. These halls are also used for farewell parties of employees of NDMC,” Ramphal says. The building is decorated on such occasions. “The fountain is turned on and we also light up the building,” he says.