Early date for Delhi's Gole Market revamp

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant governor VK Saxena has asked New Delhi Municipal Council to complete the restoration of the iconic Gole Market as a museum by July next year.
Started in Oct last year, the initial deadline set for the completion of the restoration work was Oct 2025. The LG, however, has asked the officials to advance the completion date by three months so that the ‘Veerangana’ museum, which has been proposed there, may be opened for the people of Delhi on Aug 15, the Independence Day next year.

The conservation and restoration work of the heritage market include developing the main building as a museum and construction of a service block and a subway for approaching the main structure.
“The restoration work is going on in full swing. The LG, who is personally monitoring the restoration of the otherwise neglected and decrepit historical structure, reviewed the progress being made recently and issued directions that the same should be completed by July 2025, so as to ensure its dedication to the people of Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day in 2025,” the LG office said.
The theme of the proposed museum is ‘Veerangana’, showcasing the life and achievements of iconic women from different fields and backgrounds, including literature, cultural, sports, education, politics, health, performing and visual arts, in shaping the capital city.
The building will have a glass dome roof structure over the central courtyard. While there will be four halls, a souvenir shop and a cafeteria at the ground level, the first floor will also have four halls for the museum, a multipurpose multi-media room and an office. While the service block will provide basic services such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning to the museum, the entrance to the museum will be through a subway. The renovated structure will have central air conditioning, insulated roof, ornamental fitting and fixtures and a subway and lifts.
According to officials, the strengthening of the existing foundation and walls is currently under progress. “All the works on the old structure are being carried out cautiously to prevent any damage or mishap. That’s why the speed of work is currently slow,” said an official.
“After the strengthening of the structure is completed, the work will be expedited to complete the project well before the stipulated date of completion,” the official added.
Built within a traffic roundabout by Edwin Lutyens in 1921, it is one of New Delhi’s oldest surviving colonial markets and is considered an architecturally significant structure. The restoration of this historic and iconic structure has been pending since 2006.
Occupying a nodal position at the intersection of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg, Bhai Veer Singh Marg, Peshwa Road and Ramakrishna Mission Marg, within a kilometre from Connaught Place, this urban landmark was initially designed to serve the basic needs—milk, vegetables, foodgrains and other general items—of neighbouring residential population.