New Delhi: The Gole Market Museum project is going to miss another deadline, with New Delhi Municipal Council shifting its completion date to May 2026 instead of March. “The implementation of GRAP stages 3 and 4 norms due to pollution affected progress and the work is at a standstill,” an official said.According to officials, close to 40% of the civil work was completed. The remaining civil, finishing and services-related works will resume once the restrictions are lifted. The project aims to restore the heritage complex, built in 1921, without altering its original architectural character, while transforming it into a museum highlighting the contributions of women achievers to the nation. The conservation and restoration work began in Oct 2023, with an initial deadline of Oct 2025. This was later revised to March 2026 due to various constraints.The work on the associated subway also faced delays as construction could begin only this Sept after traffic-related approvals were granted. “Around 15% of the subway excavation was completed and its deadline has also been set for May 2026,” an official said. The subway will provide safe access to the museum at the traffic roundabout connecting Bhai Veer Singh Marg with the complex. It will be equipped with lifts for persons with disabilities.The council is also awaiting the allocation or transfer of an identified site about 100 metres from Gole Market from the land and development office for developing a surface parking facility for visitors coming to the museum.The restoration of the iconic market has been pending since 2006. Lieutenant governor VK Saxena had inspected it on June 16, 2022, and directed officials to expedite the work. An updated proposal was placed before the council in Aug 2022 and the foundation stone was laid on Oct 21. Designed by Edward Lutyens, the market had served the daily needs of govt employees living in nearby residential areas developed in 1925.
