JOIN USShopping in Khan Market – the most expensive and high-class shopping centre in Delhi – may become an even better experience in the years to come.
After the total revamp of Connaught Place - that took over five years and close to Rs 700 crore – Delhi civic authorities have now shifted attention to the next biggest shopping complex – Khan Market. A la the new CP, Khan Market is set to acquire a centralised air conditioning system, an al fresco walking space, a common effluent treatment plant and an underground parking among other chic amenities.
The idea for the Khan Market redevelopment project was conceived in March 2011 by the Ministry of Urban Development. Though this upmarket complex in central Delhi is touted as one of the best maintained in the City so far, issues have cropped up over the years.
“With the growth and popularity of Khan Market,” says Sanjiv Mehra, president, Khan Market Traders’ Association, “parking has become a huge problem. We get a footfall of no less than 1,000 shoppers daily. The current parking space is proving to be inadequate leading to congestion and inconvenience to visitors.” The underground parking space, now planned by NDMC, at one end of Amrita Shergill Marg, promises to be a relief.
The proposed centralised air conditioning through AHU (Air Handling Unit) also assures respite to shoppers and shopkeepers in the city’s insufferable heat. An NDMC official Metrolife spoke to said, “Centralised AC will give a modern look to Khan Market as opposed to the dozens of window ACs seen bulging out right now, besides the hanging cables. A common effluent treatment plant will also help take care of sewage from the different restaurants so as to avoid a Hauz Khas market-like environmentally-damaging situation.” This system is also more cost-effective for the shoppers, he added.
Lifts, ramps for the differently-abled and an open walking area on the second floor of the market complex are expected to add to Khan Market’s overall impression and comfort quotient. A mall and multiplex are also in the offing, though, shopkeepers are opposed to it. Sanjiv Mehra says, “We don’t know how the plan of a mall and multiplex came up. These will not be in the interest of Khan Market and in fact, take away customers from this heritage shopping complex. We are not in favour of it but still waiting to see how the overall scheme spans out.”