Two more complexes around Connaught Place renovated

Even as Connaught Place is still getting a facelift ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the renovation of markets around it is gradually nearing completion. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday inaugurated the renovated Yusufzai Market and Hanuman Mandir Vatika

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Minister, who also distributed smart cards to hawkers in the presence of New Delhi Municipal Council chairman Parimal Rai, said the old glory of Connaught Place area was being restored through a massive renovation programme.

“This will not only improve the image of the New Delhi area but also present it in better light during the Games,'' she said.

The Yusufzai Market situated on the Outer Circle of Connaught Place has 106 shops. Work on the façade improvement for this market was taken up under the Bhagidari scheme with the traders' associations. While the change of front wall profiles of the shops was carried out by individual shopkeepers at their own cost, the other main works of façade improvement have been executed by NDMC at an estimated cost of Rs.1.20 crore.

As for the redevelopment work on the precincts of the Hanuman Mandir Complex, the Chief Minister said it has been given a facelift through creation of spaces for a food court, stalls, flowers, mehandi stalls, prasad shops and an exclusive space for shoe rooms and prasad distribution.