Central Govt. should intervene to protect the legacy of Chandni Chowk: Goel

Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Former Delhi BJP President Vijay Goel, demanded that the Central Govt. should intervene to save the historic heritage of old Delhi. He accused the Delhi government of failing to develop the historic Shahjahanabad area. He said that Shahjahanabad area should be included in the central government's 'HRIDAYA' scheme so that the havelis and other heritage structure can be saved on time from destruction.
 
He called on the Chandni Chowk residents and heritage lovers to fight together to save Chandni Chowk area . He further said that he will never allow this beautiful and historical market to become slum in any situtation. Local traders closed the market for half a day and gave full support to this March from Gauri shankar Temple to Fatah Puri Masjid.
 
Residents of Chandni Chowk reflected a lot of enthusiasm this morning regarding Vijay Goel's "Save Heritage, Save Chandni Chowk "March. The office bearers of Chandni Chowk ‘’Sarva Vyapar Mandal’’, the largest body of shopkeepers at Chandni Chowk and all traders welcomed Vijay Goel in the morning at Gauri Shankar temple and started the March under his leadership. A large number of heritage lovers also joined this March. Goel was heartly welcome and also garlanded at various places by the traders.
 
The main purpose of this March of Vijay Goel is was to save the rich heritage of Old Delhi. He demanded  that the havelis of old Delhi, important heritage structure should be rescued, the destruction of pristine havelis must stop, the illegal and unauthorised construction should be stopped, the electricity wires should be underground, the Chandni Chowk should be developed on the pedestrian only zone. And this is essential if the harmony of Chandni Chowk needs to be restoredto its old grandeur As, it was done in Chandni Chowk in 1998 in ‘’Chaudhavee ka Chand’’ festival and again in the Amritsar of Punjab. Goel appealed to the Central Government to include Shahjahanabad area in the HRIDAY (heritage city development and augmentation yojana) scheme of the Central Government to save the heritage of the Havelis on time. He said that the time has come when Central Government should take the responsibility of this heritage city for this a separate body should be constituted because the Delhi government has totally failed to handle this responsibility. It is notable that under the 'HRIDAY' scheme, the Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs  runs a special schemes and provides financial assistance for the protection of the country's rich cultural heritage.
 
Addressing in front of The Town Hall, Goel said that the Delhi Government and the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Board has become defunct. Not a single brick has been laid here in the name of development. Government buildings, such as Town Hall and hundreds of havelis, which , themselves have a history, are turning to ruins.
 
The President of 'Heritage India Foundation' and former MP from Chandni Chowk twice, Goel said that his movement will continue. This is not against anybody but it is for the development of old Delhi. It is notable that before this, Mr. Goel has played an important role in the development of 33 acres of park, Mirza Ghalib's mansion, Ajmeri gate fountain park, Haveli Dharmapura and Lahori Gate museum in front of the Red Fort.
 
On this occasion Sanjay Bhargava, President of the Sarv Vyapar Mandal, gave full support to Vijay Goel and said that all the traders are with the the campaign of Shri Goel. He appealed to his business colleagues that they all should give full support to Shri Goel who has been fighting for last 20 years for the cause, only then this historic & heritage city would be saved.