NEW DELHI: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia inspected the Kirti Nagar Market on Friday, which is set to undergo a large-scale transformation soon. His visit came in the backdrop of Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal’s announcement of redevelopment of Delhi’s 5 iconic markets. Kirti Nagar Market has also been chosen for this mega redevelopment project of Delhi Government.
The said market is known for best furniture items, and will be transformed into a world-class hub for furniture through this project. Speaking about the Kirti Nagar Market redevelopment, Manish Sisodia said, “Kirti Nagar furniture market is popular for its products not only in India but all over the world. After the redevelopment, we will work to give it a new modern look to provide better market experience to both buyers and traders.”
He said that all the traders of Kirti Nagar market are very excited. The whole process of redevelopment is being carried through mutual cooperation of the government and the traders.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that Kirti Nagar market is the identity of Delhi and the Kejriwal Government will work to redevelop this market and give it a makeover. The market will be developed into such a brand that every Delhiite will feel proud of this market. He said that at present the market lacks some basic infrastructure and facilities which will be provided by the government soon.
He said that all the traders are very excited and are participating enthusiastically in this whole process and giving their excellent suggestions. Keeping all their suggestions in mind, a plan for redevelopment of the market is being prepared. Shri Manish Sisodia said, “We have started working on the project focusedly and government teams are studying the requirements of the market to make the best plan.”
Sisodia said that work on redevelopment of the market has started and will be visible soon. Thereafter, the government will do the work of branding this market at national and international level. For upskilling the youth engaged in various activities in the market, skill training will also be given to them by the government.
Giving the details of the redevelopment project, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “Under the redevelopment, we will do a complete face-lift of the market. All the overhead power transmission systems will be made underground. A modern infrastructure will be provided to the market to create a business friendly ambience.”
It is to be noted that under the Rozgar Budget this year, five markets have been selected by the Delhi government to redevelop the iconic markets of Delhi. Names of these markets were announced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently. After the inspection, the designs related to their redevelopment will be prepared.
The Kejriwal Government will revamp five major markets as per global standards. Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said, “During phase one, Delhi Government will redevelop Kamla Nagar, Khari Baoli, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar & Kirti Nagar and rebrand them as shopping hotspots. Delhi’s markets will tread towards the path of progress with a new identity; redevelopment will help generate more business & employment. We plan to generate 20 lac employment opportunities under the Rozgaar Budget and are working day & night to fulfil our goal.”
Delhi has several popular and iconic markets and they have always been the pride of Delhi. ‘Every market has its own story, its own identity’. Presently there are more than 3.5 lakh shops in all the retail markets of Delhi, which employ about 7.5 lakh people
Today these traditional iconic markets of Delhi need redevelopment in infrastructure and other facilities so as to strengthen the sense of trust and belongingness that many feel when shopping in these markets. We want to position these markets such that people across the country and even abroad feel a sense of pride in shopping from the iconic markets of Delhi.
These markets have the potential that if there is a slight increase in the business here with the cooperation of the Government, then lakhs of new jobs can be created here. We have done this in Chandni Chowk, but now this needs to be done for all the popular, iconic markets of Delhi
For the same, CM Arvind Kejriwal launched the initiative ‘Redevelopment of Iconic Markets’ under the Rozgar Budget 2022-23. Under this, the government will revamp 5 iconic markets in the Phase-1 of redevelopment.
The objective of the scheme is to further build on the “shopping” experience of the customers and develop these markets in tourist destinations by:
Comprehensive redevelopment of the physical infrastructure: Roads, Sewage, Lighting, Parking etc.
Branding the Markets : Developing a unique brand for these markets and marketing them within and outside Delhi so as to generate a sense of pride in shopping from Delhi’s iconic markets.
Coordination between different authorities : Tourism Department and DTTDC have been given the responsibility of bringing all the involved departments/authorities under one umbrella and lead the implementation of this scheme.
Partnership with the Market Associations: Multiple meetings (one-on-one as well as combined meetings at Dy CM level) have been held with the market associations to ensure they are equal partners in the process leading to better sharing of responsibility and ownership.
Design Competition: A Design Competition will be launched for each market that will help in getting the best ‘out of box idea’ for redeveloping the market. Market should be developed basis the core USP of the market and to create a unique brand. The same will be leveraged for developing a unique marketing campaign for each market.
To select the 5 markets for redevelopment in 1st phase, a stakeholder consultation was convened by Deputy CM on 21st April, 2022 in which over 100 representatives from 50 market associations participated. This meeting was called to kickstart the selection process.
A full-page advertisement was issued on 22nd April and all the Market Associations from Iconic Retail Markets of Delhi were invited to fill a form to participate in the selection process. They were asked to submit details on issues being faced by their market and to seek their interest in the redevelopment scheme. Markets were asked to apply within 15 days (till 6th May).
In all, 49 associations from a total 33 markets submitted applications to express interest in redevelopment of their markets.
For the selection of the 5 markets in Phase 1, an 8 member selection committee was constituted involving representatives from Tourism Department, Delhi Jal Board, PWD, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) and Trade bodies (CTI, Shopping Centre Association). Selection committee created a first shortlist of 9 markets based on various parameters such as Brand value of the market, Footfall in the market, need and ease of intervention, interest of the Market Associations etc.
The Selection Committee then physically visited the 9 shortlisted markets to understand the ground realities of the market, explore the feasibility of implementation and the interest of the Market Association.
After careful consideration, the Selection Committee has shortlisted the following 5 markets for Phase 1 of the Iconic Market Redevelopment scheme:
Kamla Nagar – a Youth Hangout Zone with a Nostalgic walk
Khari Baoli – a Legacy from old Mughal empire with Best spices from all over the world at your door
Lajpat Nagar – High End Street Fashion & a one stop destination for wedding shopping
Sarojini Nagar – Fast fashion/Latest Trendsetting street market (Market For everything, everyone)
Kirti Nagar – One-stop-shop for all furniture and household décor
As the next step, a Design Competition will be launched for each of these 5 iconic markets within 6 weeks to get best out-of-the-box, innovative ideas from various architectural/urban design firms both within India as well as out of India.
Within 12 weeks, top notch architectural teams will be appointed and will begin their work in redeveloping these 5 iconic markets to their fullest potential.
Implementation will be taken up in multiple packages as soon as the architectural firms are appointed and they have identified immediate works that need to be carried out as part of an overall redevelopment/redesign plan for the markets. Market associations of these 5 markets have been taken onboard, who have promised their unconditional support for the smoother implementation and later maintenance of the projects.