Recent reviews of Chandni Chowk hotelsExpedia verified reviews
5/5 Excellent
“Lovely heritage property surrounded by beautiful gardens. Fabulous room. Staff were always smiling and helpful. Pool was large and in a beautiful bird filled garden. Our stay felt very peaceful. ”
A verified traveler stayed at Maidens Hotel, Delhi
Posted 2 days agoMaidens Hotel, Delhi
5/5 Excellent
“The staff were very friendly and helpful. The spa treatment was good. The buffet dinner was not very special. It seemed difficult to walk out of the hotel and find anything without a taxi. ”
A verified traveler stayed at The Metropolitan Hotel and Spa New Delhi
Posted 4 days agoThe Metropolitan Hotel and Spa New Delhi
5/5 Excellent
A home away from home
“Our stay was most pleasant. The cleanliness was amazing, the staff was very attentive. I would recommend this property to everyone.
A lovely experience.
They were ready to help organize transportation or give any assistance that was needed.”
A verified traveler stayed at Hotel Aira Xing by Staybook
Posted 8 days agoHotel Aira Xing by Staybook
5/5 Excellent
“Staff was amazing”
A verified traveler stayed at Radisson Blu Marina Hotel Connaught Place
Posted 10 days agoRadisson Blu Marina Hotel Connaught Place
5/5 Excellent
“Super clean and comfortable room, very helpful staff, central location. Recommended place to everyone. Hot water came quickly and breakfast in the rooftop was really amazing on of my freind told about this hotel.
Entire building is designed and decorated in rajasthani royal styles”
A verified traveler stayed at Staybook- Jyoti Mahal A Heritage Hotel
Posted 11 days agoStaybook- Jyoti Mahal A Heritage Hotel
5/5 Excellent
“The Connaught was modern and relaxing. And the breakfast buffet was unforgettable.”
A verified traveler stayed at The Connaught, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions
Posted 11 days agoThe Connaught, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions
5/5 Excellent
“great room and locations can walk to most
”
A verified traveler stayed at Best Western Darbar
Posted 2 weeks agoBest Western Darbar
5/5 Excellent
“Receiving guests in a good manner ”
A verified traveler stayed at Hotel Shelton
Posted 3 weeks agoHotel Shelton
5/5 Excellent
“Great hotel, friendly staff, wonderful cuisine. We loved the values the hotel espouses and practices. Also the hotel is centrally located with Bengali Market, CP a short walk from the hotel. Highly recommend it whether for business or pleasure.”
A verified traveler stayed at The LaLiT New Delhi
Posted 3 weeks agoThe LaLiT New Delhi
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New beginnings
The idea of the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk was first floated in 2004, and in 2008, the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) was set up by the then Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Even after the body was established, the redevelopment plan did not take off for a decade.
In December last year, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia launched the project and stakeholders — from shopkeepers to residents — were brought on board. Then, the digging began.
While restoring Chandni Chowk’s past beauty, as described by scholars, seems like a difficult task, efforts are on to give at least a glimpse of the era, which explains the excessive use of red sandstone and bollards. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)
A year before the project was launched, architect Pradeep Sachdeva, who specialises in streets, joined the project as chief architect. Seated in his spacious Aya Nagar studio, he told The Indian Express, “What do the Mall Road in Shimla, MG Road in Gangtok or the area near the Golden Temple in Amritsar have in common? They are car-free zones. I think this is the most important aspect of the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk.”
The 12-metre stretch right in front of the Central Baptist Church brings the blueprint to life. There’s a 5.4-metre-wide footpath, next to it is a 5.5-metre-wide carriageway for cycle rickshaws, followed by a 3.5-metre-wide central verge with planters and bollards. Next to this is the second 5.5-metre-wide carriageway and then a 5.4-metre-wide footpath.
Sachdeva said, “Of the two lanes meant for rickshaws, one can be used by emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire tenders and police vehicles. The lane can also be used for religious processions.”
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That the area will be car-free has been met with a mixed response by traders in the area, with some wondering how it will impact their business. Anuj Lal, who works at a shoe store, said, “Hopefully parking facilities will be ready at the same time as the project. Otherwise, where will people park? I fear business will suffer a bit because shoppers are used to bringing cars to the doorstep of shops.”
Trader Ravi Kumar Jindal, who runs an electrical shop, is hopeful that at least the 1.3-km stretch will be more peaceful than the rest of Old Delhi. “The noise pollution will go down considerably, and one will be able to enjoy work and sit outside the shops.”
A major concern voiced by many traders was about “off-loading” of goods. A 40-year-old man who owns a carpet shop in the vicinity said, “If no tempos are allowed, how will I unload new carpets in my shop? The rickshaws are not right for this purpose.”
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An SRDC official said that “from 9 pm to 9 am, vehicles will be allowed and traders can use the two lanes to off load goods”.
Sanjay Bhargava, president of the Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, said that “at times, it takes 90 minutes to reach Red Fort from Sisganj Gurdwara… the traffic is so bad. This project will ease movement and also improve the air quality index of the area if there are no motorised vehicles allowed.”
The North MCD is building a multi-level parking facility at Chandni Chowk’s Gandhi Maidan to accommodate over 2,300 cars. It will have eight floors and three underground levels.
Last December, the Delhi government had also mentioned bringing back trams to Chandni Chowk. Area MLA Alka Lamba, who is the director of the SRDC, said, “Trams are too expensive, so we have proposed bringing e-trams to run along the 1.3-km stretch… these don’t need tracks.” A senior official attached to the project, however, said that since the distance is so short, e-trams will be of little use.
In May this year, Ajmal Khan Road in Karol Bagh was the first stretch in the capital to be declared a car-free zone by the North MCD — nine years after the proposal for pedestrianising the area was approved by the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre.
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Для дома
В Индии огромный выбор различных сувениров. Все они очень интересные и необычные. Вы обязательно найдете что-то и для себя, и в подарок близким.
Статуэтки, Ганеша
Самый продаваемый индийский сувенир – статуэтки местного бога Ганеши. Изображения и статуэтки слонов из различных материалов вы увидите здесь практически повсюду. Считается, что Ганеша приносит удачу и бережет от проблем. Верите вы в это или нет, а купить Ганешу вам, скорее всего, захочется – уж очень красивые вещицы с его изображением порой попадаются на глаза. Кстати, это очень хороший подарок для близких – действительно национальный сувенир из Индии.
Покупать статуэтки индийских божеств выгоднее всего в Дели – на рынках индийской столицы самый большой выбор и самые низкие цены. Если вы поедете в Агру, присмотритесь к медным и каменным статуэткам – не пожалеете.
Керамика
В Индии очень хорошая керамика, поэтому есть смысл купить что-то на память. Отправиться в Индии на шоппинг за керамическими вазами, тарелками и другой утварью лучше всего на базар. Выбор вас порадует – яркие краски, различные формы, приятные цены. На рынке можно и нужно торговаться.
Ковры и картины
Если вы любите украшать свою квартиру необычными вещами, советуем привезти домой из Индии ковер или шелковую картину ручной работы. Лучше всего отправиться за ними на рынок или в ремесленные лавки, где продаются только ковры и изделия из шелка. Будьте готовы торговаться, так как продавцы всегда завышают цены почти вдвое.
Качество индийских ковров и картин очень высокое. Эти вещи служат не просто годами, а десятилетиями.
Текстиль
На рынках и в магазинах обратите внимание на хлопковые индийские вещи для дома. Бывалые туристы знают, что привезти из Индии полотенца, комплекты постельного белья и даже шторы очень и очень выгодно. Качество отличное, цены невысокие, цвета на любой вкус
Текстиль выгоднее всего покупать на рынках
Качество отличное, цены невысокие, цвета на любой вкус. Текстиль выгоднее всего покупать на рынках.
Благовония
Даже просто отправившись на шоппинг в Индии, вы почувствуете этот легко узнаваемый запах – рынки и магазины этой страны источают ароматы самых разных благовоний. Местные очень любят жечь ароматические палочки. Да и в неиспользованном виде они все равно имеют яркий аромат (учтите это, когда будете класть упаковки с палочками в чемодан). Ароматические палочки можно купить в Индии практически повсюду, и стоят они недорого. Вместе с ними можно приобрести и сопутствующий сувенир – деревянную подставку для благовоний. Такой набор может стать хорошим подарком для близких.
К благовониям также относятся различные эфирные масла. В Индии их выгодно покупать, так как здесь они натуральные и стоят сравнительно дешево. Вы можете привезти домой очень хороший набор из нескольких небольших пузырьков эфирного масла и специальной красивой лампы для их нагревания.
Amenity packed
A water tank with a capacity of 10 lakh litres, attached to the fire hydrants being installed across the 1.3-km stretch, is being built as a part of the redevelopment project. “At every 30 metres, a fire hydrant will be installed on both sides. Approximately 100 fire hydrants will be placed. Each will be able to reach a 30-metre distance,” said Mohd Zahid, project manager on site.
Opposite Central Baptist Church, one such fire hydrant has already been placed. “Chandni Chowk is not just these rows of shops at the front, there are lanes and bylanes inside that will benefit from these fire hydrants. Before fire tenders reach, the hydrants can douse a fire,” said Zahid.
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Like the 500-metre stretch in Karol Bagh which has been declared car-free, the Chandni Chowk stretch too will be peppered with stone seats for pedestrians. “At least 175 red sandstone seats will be placed at regular intervals on the footpath,” said an official.
Across the stretch, at least 175 round stone planters will be placed, along with short rows of bollards, in tune with the Mughal-era inspired architecture. “We are going to line both sides with 210 moulsari trees, which will be at least 12-15- feet high. We will also procure LED street lighting,” said Sachdeva. At least 150 storm water drain chambers are also being built on the footpath.
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As labourers toiled day and night to finish work, a peculiar challenge had delayed the project. The 19 transformers became a bone of contention between Chandni Chowk traders and the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC). “DUAC said the transformers shouldn’t be placed on the central verge as that ruins the view. The only other option is the footpath and that was vehemently opposed by the shopkeepers as it blocks the entrance to their shops and they can catch fire,” said Sachdeva.
An SRDC official said that on August 7, a meeting was held and it was decided that the transformers will be placed on the central verge only. The BSES has installed 19 packaged and compact transformers so far. A source said DUAC, in a presentation, suggested ways to cover up the transformers using graffiti. A source said, “The graffiti doesn’t work with the Mughal-era aesthetic, so jaali work seen in old havelis here will be incorporated into the cover design, and possibly spread with bougainvillea.”
So far, BSES has laid over 6.6-km of high tension cable in the trench from Jain Mandir to Fatehpuri Masjid, and 40 feeder pillars have been installed. Apart from BSES, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) too has been busy at work. “The Jal Board is doing rehabilitation work and the ancient sewer line is being given a protective coating and being cleaned up. There will be two DJB lines on both sides,” said Zahid.
Apart from this, toilets too have been incorporated in the plan. The SRDC official said, “Five unisex toilets will be placed across locations such as the Lajpat Rai market and the entrance of Bhagirath Palace market.” Earlier, the plan was to build the toilets near the footpath.
The official also said the stretch will be accessible to the differently-abled: “A steel strip will be built on the street to guide the visually impaired. The entire stretch can easily be navigated by people using wheelchairs too.”
Over 100 labourers have been employed at Rs 550 a day for the last few months to work on the project. “There are two shifts — 9 am to 6 pm, 8 pm to 5 am. They have given us accommodation in tin shelters nearby and we have meals at the gurdwara,” said a labourer.
When the project began, private security guards were hired to “protect” the site as cases of missing construction material were reported. For the last three months, however, 70 police personnel have been deployed.
A police officer from North East Delhi said, “We work in three shifts and our main aim is to discourage people from entering the site and safeguarding the material… at night, especially, miscreants enter the site and run away with construction gear.”
Перепланировка
Прогулка по наследию Чандни Чоук начинается от Красного форта
Государственный банк Индии Чандни Чоук
Центральная баптистская церковь, Дели рядом с Макдональдсом
Гурудвара Сис Гандж Сахиб
Мечеть Фатехпури , конец прогулки по наследию
Чандни Чоук был переоборудован в историческую тропу, чтобы способствовать развитию туризма, черпая вдохновение из улицы Наследия Амритсара . Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation под эгидой правительства NCT Дели является агентством, выполняющим эту задачу. План реконструкции включает пешеходные дорожки, чтобы сделать район более удобным для пешеходов для большого количества покупателей и посетителей. Дневное движение по Чандни Чоук от Красного форта до Фатехпури Масджид будет запрещено. Планируется также разгрузить дороги, а некоторые будут забаррикадированы. Людям, которые захотят туда приехать, придется воспользоваться автобусом Ebus. План реконструкции должен был быть завершен до Игр Содружества 2010 года, но был отложен по разным причинам. Правительство Дели сейчас серьезно настаивает на этом. План реконструкции реализуется под руководством заместителя главного министра Маниша Сисодиа. В план также включена дополнительная парковка на 1500 машиномест.
По состоянию на 15 февраля реконструкция завершена на 90% и остро нуждается в утилизации мусора, так как мусор разбросан по всей улице.
В рамках реконструкции на Ганди Майдане в Чандни Чоук возводится многоуровневый паркинг с коммерческим комплексом. Проект был открыт министром науки и технологий Союза доктором Харшвардханом.
