New Delhi: Barely a month after a comprehensive cleaning and maintenance drive, the 1.3km Chandni Chowk stretch facing Red Fort has once again slipped into civic neglect after the specialised agency engaged for the task had stopped working due to the alleged lack of funds.Public Works Department (PWD) hired the agency in mid-Nov to carry out deep cleaning of the common corridor, granite flooring and bollards, along with regular waste collection, to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the redeveloped heritage stretch. However, the work came to a halt after Dec 15.While the decision to engage the agency was taken in a meeting of Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) held in Oct 2025, and on the direction of chief minister Rekha Gupta, the process was accelerated in view of two events in the area — Shaheedi Samagam in Nov and a Unesco programme in Dec, said Sanjeev Bhargava, president of Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapaar Mandal. “Once the work stopped, the area began accumulating dust again,” he alleged.PWD officials said the agency was engaged after receiving an assurance of funding from SRDC. “In the absence of a formal financial sanction even after a month, we had to discontinue the arrangement. We understand that SRDC is working on a proposal,” an official said.A senior SRDC official claimed that clear-cut directions were given to PWD to continue deep cleaning. “There is no ambiguity in the sanctioning of funds. The process was delayed because the appointment of the SRDC chairman is pending. As soon as the process is completed, a proposal will be placed before the board, which has the power to give financial sanction to any project. PWD was given in-principle approval to go ahead with the project,” he pointed out.Municipal Corporation of Delhi said that it had intensified cleaning efforts in addition to regular sweeping and waste removal. Local councillor Suman Gupta maintained that sanitation work was being carried out regularly. “Sweeping is done twice daily and rubbish is lifted routinely. All bins are cleaned every day,” Gupta claimed. “While we do not have specialised equipment to clean stonework and bollards, we will explore procuring it if required.” Residents and traders, however, alleged that the area was rapidly reverting to its pre-Nov state of neglect and routine sanitation measures were inadequate. A recent visit to the area revealed encroachment, rubbish packets and paan stains at several locations. “The red sandstone has begun accumulating dust due to the absence of multiple sweeping cycles. Rubbish is visible on central verges and pathways, and public toilets are in an unusable condition. We got to know some work is in progress at CM’s office,” Bhargava said.Attributing persistent littering to widespread encroachment on pavements, Gupta said, “I was elected councillor from Chandni Chowk two months ago. Anti-encroachment drives have already begun from Old Delhi station and Mori Gate, and this area will be covered soon.”
