Mahila Haat to be revived by NDMC

The neglected Mahila Haat will soon be revived by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).

To enhance the face of North Corporation’s ambitious project Mahila Haat, the civic body is keen to revive the project based on social partnership between FLO (Ficci Ladies Organisation) and North Corporation.

Situated in the heart of the city the project, aimed to combine women’s empowerment with a unique shopping experience, lies in shambles. For the revival, extensive renovations will be required to be made and FLO would design and administer the changes to be made, while the North Corporation would create a seed fund corpus of Rs 50 lakh for renovations. Initial promotion is to be looked after by FLO.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Mahila Haat above the Asaf Ali Road parking, opposite G.B. Pant Hospital, was meant to provide cheap and centrally located retail spaces to women artisans and entrepreneurs. But, a year-and-a-half after it was inaugurated amid much celebration, the space is a mess.

“With Rs 20 per ticket, the civic body can collect and keep the entry fee. It is expected to collect Rs 3 lakh per month if the Haat witnesses a footfall of 500 per day,” said the commissioner P.K. Gupta. The overall management of the Haat will be the responsibility of FLO via a management contract, he said.

With the revival, the corporation seeks to build this Mahila Haat as a shopping and cultural destination in Delhi.

“It will be a focal point for emerging women entrepreneurs and create market linkages for them,” said Mr Gupta.

With the Haat, the Corporation is expected to generate local economic revenue through sale of tickets and parking fees. It will promote state and cultural festivals as a part of tourist attractions. The corporation had spent `8.03 lakh on the Haat’s maintenance from its inception till March 31, 2014. In return, the earnings in the same period were Rs 5.61 lakh.

The space has 55 stalls, two canteens, a performance stage and even a small garden.