After a long delay, work on CP Khadi store revamp may restart

New Delhi: Renovation of Khadi store in Connaught Place, which was stalled, is likely to start again.Nearly a year after closing for a revamp, the flagship store of Khadi India in Regal Building is trying to come around the restrictions due to the heritage tag of the building, which has resulted in the stalling of the renovation work, TOI has learnt.“We held a very productive meeting with the officials from the housing and urban affairs. They have assured us of full cooperation on the matter. A way around the heritage building restrictions will be found out soon and the work will commence shortly,” an official from the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) said.The KVIC, which operated and managed this outlet, plans to redevelop it into India’s first “Khadi Mall” featuring AI based interactive screens to suggest modern fashion layout, sizing and styling.“The new outlet will have a complete overhaul of the interior design, trial rooms, lighting, and heavy-traffic billing counters. It will also feature dedicated modern lounges for premium organic products, cosmetics and regional high-end silks. Other customer amenities like cafeterias will also be built for better shopping experience,” the official said.For decades, this iconic Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan stood as a central hub for India’s rich hand-spun traditions and rural industries. The erstwhile showroom took centre stage every Gandhi Jayanti, routinely attracting senior political leaders and dignitaries marking the historic day. It first opened its doors in 1955 and was inaugurated by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The Regal Buliding was originally constructed in 1932 by British architect Walter Sykes George and Indian contractor Sir Sobha Singh.The central public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) - NBCC (India) is currently undertaking the restoration work. Earlier, renovation had got stalled due to delays in clearances from multiple civic and heritage bodies.