The Road Now Taken

The lawyer at his makeshift desk outside a government office in Mehrauli was constantly hammering at his ancient typewriter as a shiny black Jaguar zoomed past.

The dusty,sleepy area of Mehrauli near Qutab Minar is now home to some exclusive fashion stores and restaurants. Can it be developed to be the Fifth Avenue of Delhi in the future?

The lawyer at his makeshift desk outside a government office in Mehrauli was constantly hammering at his ancient typewriter as a shiny black Jaguar zoomed past. A few yards away,the Jag stopped,and four women dressed in what the glossy magazines would describe as boho chic,stepped out on the uneven road and walked into a building that looked like an old Grecian villa.

The sleepy lane around the corner from the Qutab Minar is home to some of the most exclusive couture stores and restaurants in the Capital. But the lane,which is also home to Adham Khans tomb,the office of the Sub-registrar,and many other quaint but decrepit edifices,has a story to tell.

Almost a decade ago,Mehrauli was a major stop for label shoppers with designers such as Ritu Beri and Tarun Tahiliani,and brands such as Good Earth,Kimaya and Ashley operating from there. But in December 2006,the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s sealing drive shut down the glitterati hotspots – One Style Mile and Ambawatta Complex. Mehrauli turned into a mere deserted patch of medieval tombs.

In June 2009 though,it got a second lease of life when the NCT Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act 2009 allowed the commercial activities to return to urban villages. Ambawatta Complex and One Style Mile were reopened,with swish brands such as Sabyasachi@Carma and Kimaya,and restaurants such as A D Singh’s Olive Bar and Kitchen,Thai High and Poppadum making an entry.

Thai High,earlier called Thai Wok,reopened in Ambawatta two years ago. Although the tall,glass building of the complex,which used to bustle with life when all the stores were functional,bears a neglected look now,with only these two establishments functioning. Prashant Singh,manager at Thai High,says: It used to be much more lively here. But there is

no problem with regard to footfall. We have our loyal clientele who come here

to enjoy the food and the splendid view.

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Evoluzione,the multi-brand store which opened last month,receives a stream of the swish set,who are eager to shop in the freshly decorated 5,000 sqft area. Other establishments such as restaurant Circa II93,Mystic Spa,and designer shops such as Rimple & Harpreet Narula are also burgeoning in Mehrauli now. Even with the lanes and bylanes being a little congested and the Archaeological Survey of India constantly keeping a wary eye on the new stores coming across the street from the heritage sites,Mehrauli seems to have become one of the sought-after destinations in Delhi. Who knows,with proper development and facilities,this sleepy lane might just turn out to be Delhis Fifth Avenue.

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