After a decade of neglect and degradation, the building where serious discussions on policymaking took place for over 150 years is now set for a more leisurely future. The heritage Town Hall in Chandni Chowk is to become a hotel or a tourist facility. North Delhi Municipal Corporation has issued tenders for the leasing of the famous building to a private party for its redevelopment. According to the plan, the complex will be leased out for 33 years with a minimum reserve price of Rs. 192 crore per month as licensing fee. Jai Prakash, the outgoing mayor of the north corporation, said the transformation of Town Hall into a heritage hotel complex would help generate revenue for the cash-strapped civic body while also ensuring the maintenance of the structure that was constructed in 1863 and which has been lying vacant for over a decade. Instead of leasing it out for a lengthy period like years, we decided on a medium term scale, said the mayor. The site where the yellow brick-and-stone building with carved white trims stands was once a garden created by Jahanara daughter of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. The construction of the present building started in 1860 and was completed in 1863. Authors Gaynor Barton and Laurraine Malone in their book on Old Delhi disclose that the building was known as Lawrence Institute and housed the delhi college of higher studies. The plan was submitted to the central government a year later, but the project didn't see the light of day. The current project document states. "The complex may be used for hotel, musesums, library, children's activity rooms, auditoriums for cultural activities with historical significance, demonstration room, light and sound programme. This will provide an excellent historic ambience and experience for citizens to live the culture of the city with modren amenties.
