Delhi’s Town Hall to become Global Heritage Centre under redevelopment plan

The historic Town Hall complex in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk is set to get a new lease of life as a Global Heritage Centre, with plans for a museum, cultural activities and tourism facilities while preserving its Grade-I heritage character.

The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The agreement covers the Town Hall, Press Building and adjoining park, spread across around 12,180 square metres.

Ownership of the complex will continue to remain with the MCD. Historical records, archival material and artefacts associated with the Town Hall will also remain with the civic body.

Adaptive reuse planned for heritage complex

The redevelopment will follow an adaptive-reuse approach, allowing the historic structures to accommodate contemporary cultural and tourism activities without compromising their architectural and heritage identity.

The proposed Global Heritage Centre is expected to bring museums and other tourism-related facilities to the complex, giving visitors from India and abroad an opportunity to experience Old Delhi’s history, culture and heritage at one location.

Gupta said the Town Hall was an important part of Delhi’s history and heritage and that its redevelopment would help connect the heritage of Old Delhi with modern tourism. Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said developing the Town Hall, Press Building and Park as a Global Heritage Centre would provide fresh impetus to heritage tourism in Chandni Chowk.

The complex’s location close to Chandni Chowk and Old Delhi Railway Station, both important tourist and transit hubs, is expected to support its development as a major heritage attraction.

DPR to determine redevelopment model

The MoU does not immediately finalise the construction or investment model for the redevelopment.

Under the agreement, DTTDC will first conduct surveys and a structural assessment of the complex before preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR). Once this process is completed, the project could be developed through public investment or a public-private partnership model.

A Joint Working Group comprising officials from DTTDC and MCD will oversee the project and review its progress.

The initial term of the MoU is 30 years, with a provision to extend it by another 30 years through mutual consent.

The government has said the objective is to make the historic property more accessible and useful for domestic and international visitors while retaining its original heritage character.

A complex with more than 160 years of history

Built between 1860 and 1866, the Grade-I heritage complex has played a significant role in Delhi’s civic history. The Town Hall initially housed the Lawrence Institute, which had a museum, reading room and library. The Victorian-era building was acquired by the civic body in 1866.

The complex subsequently served as the headquarters of the municipal corporation for several decades. The civic body eventually moved its headquarters to the Dr S P Mukherjee Civic Centre on Minto Road in 2010.

A substantial part of the Town Hall complex has remained underutilised since the headquarters were shifted. The redevelopment plan now seeks to bring the site back into public use by combining conservation with cultural and tourism activities.

The project is expected to link the Town Hall’s historical and architectural significance with the wider heritage landscape of Chandni Chowk and Shahjahanabad, while keeping the property and its associated archival material under MCD ownership.