New Delhi: Delhi BJP Media Head and Chandni Chowk Nagrik Manch General Secretary Praveen Shankar Kapoor has raised serious concerns over growing civic problems in Chandni Chowk and urged immediate intervention by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). In a detailed memorandum submitted to Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh, Kapoor highlighted multiple issues ranging from encroachment, poor sanitation, and illegal food stalls to unregulated e-rickshaw operations choking the historic area.
Kapoor noted that despite the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk’s main stretch between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid, the area continues to suffer from administrative neglect. He criticised the Kejriwal-led government and MCD for failing to maintain cleanliness and allowing hawkers to reoccupy spaces along the redeveloped corridor.
He pointed out five major concerns requiring urgent MCD attention:
- Over 350 special permit e-rickshaws operating from Chandni Chowk to Red Fort are causing traffic bottlenecks and illegal parking.
- Pavement encroachments near the Fatehpuri Masjid and Lal Kuan areas remain unresolved despite repeated complaints, affecting both pedestrians and shopkeepers.
- Women and elderly commuters struggle with inadequate pedestrian access between Red Fort and Town Hall due to encroachments along the 1.3-km stretch.
- Despite allocation of ₹99 crore for Chandni Chowk’s beautification, ongoing littering, open urination, and waste accumulation show poor MCD enforcement.
- A sharp rise in unauthorized eateries and food carts—about 50 in number—have re-emerged, compromising hygiene standards and exposing public health to risk.
Kapoor urged the Mayor to initiate a special civic campaign in collaboration with local traders and civil society to restore order in the area. He called for immediate action on removing illegal hawkers, regulating e-rickshaw movement, and improving sanitation.
He concluded, “Without strict and consistent action, all beautification efforts made in Chandni Chowk will go to waste.”
