The ambitious project to transform New Delhi's historic Gole Market into a museum dedicated to women achievers has hit another roadblock, forcing authorities to postpone its completion once more. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has now shifted the target for finishing the conservation work to May 2026, missing the earlier revised deadline of March 2026.
Pollution Norms Bring Work to a Standstill
Officials cited the implementation of stringent GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) stages 3 and 4 norms during periods of high pollution as the primary reason for the latest delay. These restrictions, aimed at curbing construction activity to improve air quality, have brought progress to a virtual halt. An NDMC official confirmed that nearly 40% of the civil work is complete, but the remaining tasks related to civil construction, finishing, and services will only resume once the pollution-related bans are lifted.
A Journey of Delays and Restoration Vision
The journey to restore this heritage complex, originally built in 1921 and designed by Sir Edward Lutyens, has been long and fraught with delays. The restoration itself has been pending since 2006. The current phase of conservation and restoration work began in October 2023 with an initial deadline of October 2025. This was first revised to March 2026 before the latest shift to May 2026.
The core vision of the project remains unchanged: to meticulously restore the heritage structure without altering its original architectural character, while repurposing it into a museum that highlights the contributions of women achievers to the nation. The market was originally built to serve the daily needs of government employees living in nearby residential areas developed in 1925.
Subway and Parking Facilities Also Affected
The delays extend beyond the main building. Work on an associated subway, intended to provide safe pedestrian access to the museum from the busy traffic roundabout connecting Bhai Veer Singh Marg, has also been impacted. Construction on the subway could only begin in September of this year after necessary traffic approvals were secured. So far, only about 15% of the subway excavation is complete, and its deadline has been aligned with the main project, now set for May 2026. The subway will be equipped with lifts for persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, the council is awaiting the formal allocation of a site approximately 100 metres from Gole Market from the Land and Development Office. This plot is earmarked for developing a surface parking facility for visitors to the future museum.
The project has received high-level attention, with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena inspecting the site on June 16, 2022, and directing officials to expedite the work. An updated proposal was subsequently presented to the council in August 2022, and the foundation stone was laid on October 21 of the same year. Despite these pushes, the project continues to navigate the challenges of urban conservation in a city grappling with environmental regulations.
