Rs 47-lakh makeover for Khan Market

Khan Market8217;s trendy shops, gourmet restaurants, boutique-like atmosphere and spot-on location have made it one of the costliest pieces of commercial real estate in the Capital.

Khan Market8217;s trendy shops, gourmet restaurants, boutique-like atmosphere and spot-on location have made it one of the costliest pieces of commercial real estate in the Capital. To preserve its status as a favoured shopping destination of VIPs, diplomats and foreign tourists, an effort is now on to spruce up the market.

8220;The ongoing construction of a boundary wall along with development of the footpath is to cost around Rs 20 lakh, and is likely to be competed by the end of this month,8221; Anand Kumar Tiwari, NDMC public relations director, said. The fancy boundary wall, with a decorative iron grill and the new footpath around it, will give a new look to the market, particularly if one is approaching it from Subramania Bharti Marg.

The current beautification drive is part of a plan formulated by the NDMC in consultation with shopkeepers in 2003-04.The plan, with an estimated budget of Rs 47 lakh, also involves the development of parking lots in the market. A parking lot has come up on what was once a disused park at the back of the market, complete with water harvesting pits, a piao and hydrants for the horticulture department to maintain the greenery with. The inner service lane dividing the two buildings of the market has been paved with designer bricks. Another parking lot has come up in front of Lok Nayak Bhavan.

In a first of its kind, the market has appointed a number of parking attendants, who are supposed to act as local traffic wardens apart from helping shoppers park their cars safely. Strategically placed boards announce that they are not to be paid anything.

Most shopkeepers are for the beautification drive. Balraj Bahri of Bahri Sons said: 8220;It is good for the market and for the shoppers as well.8221;

Sanjeev Mehra, president of the Khan Market Traders8217; Association, while applauding the beautification effort, said it had taken too long and should have been taken up in one go. 8220;By the time one part is complete, the other begins to wear out,8221; he said.

The NDMC is also trying to tackle complaints of power outages and overloading in the market. At present, the market receives a supply of 5,000 KVA from the substation at Lok Nayak

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Bhavan. Some of the extra demand is being met from the adjoining substation at Golf Apartments with a supply of 2,000 KVA.