Commissioning his own plan

Following a Delhi High Court order, the Delhi Municipal Corporation commissioned a redevelopment plan for the historic Jama Masjid precinct in November 2005. The courts, the Delhi Urban Arts Commission and the Delhi government, were all involved in the proposed model, which was finally conceptualised by a leading private architect. Eminent historians, urban planners, economists and residents were consulted. The whole plan was submitted in two volumes in September last year, but the process of implementation has not yet begun. A municipal deputy commissioner seems to feel that he has the power to veto the view of expert town planners and formulate an alternative proposal of his own, despite his lack of professional expertise.

Perhaps commercial exploitation of the area outweighs aesthetic and historic considerations for the MCD babus.