Sealing drive, adoption of Red Fort causes anxiety to Meena Bazaar shopkeepers

NEW DELHI: Shopkeepers of Meena Bazaar – one of the oldest markets of the Capital, located inside the magnificent 17th-century Mughal-era monument Red Fort or Lal Quila – are confident that under any circumstances, authorities will not close or restructure the historic market.

However, the sealing and anti-encroachment drives by civic bodies that have been going on for seven months and the recent adoption of Red Fort by the Dalmia group under the Union Tourism Ministry's 'Adopt a Monument' scheme, have made the shopowners a bit insecure.

Talking about the future of the market, AP Singha, president of Red Fort Bazaar Shopkeepers Association, said that no authorities have approached or discussed these issue with the Association.

"There is no danger of being shifted or getting closed. This market is very much a part of the heritage of Red Fort, it can't be shut down", said Singha.

A MoU for 'adoption' of the Red Fort was signed between Dalmia Bharat Ltd, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) on April 9, stamping a $3.7 million deal for a period of five years.

The MoU stated that the company would construct, landscape, illuminate and maintain activities related to provision and development of tourist amenities at Red Fort.

This includes various basic and advanced amenities, such as public conveniences, clean drinking water, cleanliness of the monument, accessibility for all, signage, cloakroom facilities, illumination and night viewing, surveillance system, tourist facilitation cum interpretation centres among others.

Some shopkeepers, however, are concerned about the deal and have raised a few issues regarding the future of the market.

Sunil, whose family has been running a shop of precious stones for more than 65 years in the bazaar said, "In 2001, the MCD gave us a sudden notice of eviction and now there is an anti-encroachment drive all over the city. I do not know what will happen to us in future. I think anything can happen to us."

Some others have also raised the question that there has been no discussion with the shopkeepers regarding the kind of work the Dalmia group will be doing inside the fort.

"If they are doing infrastructural development of the Fort, then they might ask us to close the shops for some days. We should have a clear communication on such matters," said a shopkeeper.

Conservationists also raised questions over the deal. In various reports, they have observed that handing over responsibility for such an important monument will malign the prestige of Red Fort.

They also noted that the Dalmia group has no previous track record in maintaining historical sites.