Chandni Chowks Rs99 Crore Makeover Falls Apart as Revamped Stretch Becomes Encroached Unsanitary and Lawless
Chandni Chowk, once a beacon of Mughal grandeur and now a bustling symbol of Delhi’s urban chaos, is back in the headlines—this time for all the wrong reasons. Just four years ago, the historic 1.3-kilometre stretch between the Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid underwent a ₹99-crore facelift aimed at restoring its architectural charm and pedestrian friendliness. What was envisioned as a revitalised heritage boulevard has now been reduced to a grim shadow of that promise. Broken tiles, damaged bollards, overflowing garbage, rampant encroachments, and complete disregard for traffic rules have eroded both the functionality and the aesthetic of the project.
A recent spot inspection by Hindustan Times revealed a landscape overrun by illegalities and negligence. The very bollards meant to separate pedestrian zones from vehicular areas are either broken or missing entirely. In multiple sections of the stretch, private vehicles, auto-rickshaws, and over 2,000 illegal cycle rickshaws operate freely. This figure starkly contrasts with the permitted cap of just 350 non-motorised vehicles on the road. Instead of being a pedestrian-friendly corridor as originally designed, Chandni Chowk has turned into an impromptu traffic hub where commercial interests and political disinterest collide.
Adding to the mess is the mushrooming of illegal hawkers and vendors. Walkways are no longer usable, as makeshift stalls selling everything from undergarments to chuski crowd the space, leaving little room for foot traffic. Green patches meant to add serenity are now barren or misused for dumping. Public amenities like benches and lamp posts are smeared with paan stains, and street furniture lies either vandalised or stolen. Dustbins are either overflowing or absent. It appears as though, after the ribbon-cutting ceremonies were done, the area was left to fend for itself.
The governance breakdown is as visible as the physical one. Responsibility for the maintenance of Chandni Chowk lies fragmented between the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), controlled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the Public Works Department (PWD), governed by the Delhi government. This bureaucratic dualism has fostered a culture of blame-shifting. PWD officials insist that their role ended after the completion of civil work, while MCD claims it is burdened with maintaining infrastructure that is already deteriorating. In effect, neither agency is ensuring proper upkeep. The North Delhi zone of MCD has not even filed a single fine or challan against violators in months.
On-ground enforcement is almost nonexistent. Hawkers operate freely in violation of the Street Vendors Act, which mandates formal registration and designated vending zones. Traffic police seldom intervene, and civic authorities claim their hands are tied due to lack of support from other agencies. Meanwhile, traders, residents, and heritage activists watch in frustration as the original promise of a revitalised Chandni Chowk fades under layers of bureaucratic indifference and political turf wars.
The area, which once stood as a shining example of Mughal town planning and later British-era commercial vibrancy, has suffered immensely despite the 2021 redevelopment. This project, under the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation, had sought to pedestrianise the stretch during daytime hours, streamline non-motorised traffic, create underground utility ducts, restore building façades, and decongest one of the busiest corridors of Old Delhi. Instead, the project now faces public ridicule, with critics calling it “cosmetic” and “unsustainable without a maintenance blueprint.”
Shopkeepers in the area claim that although footfall initially increased post-redevelopment, it has now sharply declined due to the chaos. Tourists complain of harassment by unlicensed rickshaw drivers and a lack of basic amenities. Visitors looking for a historical experience are greeted with piles of garbage, honking rickshaws, and aggressive hawkers. “We were told this would become Delhi’s version of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar or a European pedestrian street. Instead, it looks like it’s been abandoned by every authority,” said one disgruntled shop owner.
Urban planning experts argue that Chandni Chowk’s failure highlights a deeper malaise in Indian infrastructure projects: a lack of accountability for maintenance. “Building urban spaces is easy. Sustaining them requires long-term planning, cross-agency collaboration, and strong civic enforcement—all of which are missing here,” said one urban design consultant who worked briefly with the Delhi government. Critics also blame political rivalry between BJP-led municipal authorities and the AAP-led state government for Chandni Chowk’s descent into disorder.
In the face of mounting criticism, PWD and MCD officials have passed the buck back and forth. AAP leaders have accused the MCD of deliberate neglect, while BJP councillors allege that the Delhi government handed over an already broken system. The result: Chandni Chowk suffers while bureaucrats draft new memos and elected officials engage in televised blame games.
As Delhi prepares to welcome international tourists for upcoming heritage walks and cultural summits, Chandni Chowk stands as a sobering reminder of what happens when legacy, public money, and political ego collide. The ₹99-crore makeover, which once held the promise of rejuvenation, has now become a symbol of missed opportunities and state failure. Unless urgent, coordinated, and apolitical action is taken, the historic artery of Old Delhi might well be permanently clogged—not just with traffic, but with bureaucratic dysfunction and public indifference.