Following closely on the heels of the Municipal headquarters at Town Hall, the MCD office at Kashmere Gate now awaits a facelift. The Corporation plans to create a budget hotel and is also likely to redevelop the monument and other ancient structures around the building.

The Nigam Bhawan at Kashmere Gate is also known as the Old Hindu College. The office of the state Election Commission also operates from these premises, apart from a few departments of the Corporation.

A portion of the building has already been declared dangerous and unfit for use by the Engineering department of the MCD. With the Corporation’s offices being moved to the Civic Centre, the building will be vacated and developed into a budget hotel.

“Since the place is close to the ISBT, we want to create a good budget hotel to cater to people coming to the terminus,” said an MCD official.

A heritage mosque near the building has also been included in the Corporation’s renovation plans. “The mosque area has been encroached by several people. The wall of the mosque is broken in several places and is also being used as open urinal. Several illegal eateries and small vendors have developed around the monument,” said the official.

The MCD plans to redevelop the ancient structures inside the premises. “We plan to do up the pillars, balconies and other structures in the Mughal architectural style. The original Walled City structure has been lost over the years, and the MCD wants to restore it to its original glory,” added the official.

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