New Delhi, Jan 11 (NationPress) In tune with global nightlife trends, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is preparing to unveil its first-ever 'Night Bazaar' in the parking areas of Connaught Place by the end of March, providing a unique flea market experience akin to Thailand's Chatuchak or Canada's Richmond Night Market, as stated by an official on Sunday.

The foundation work has been finalized, and the NDMC Night Bazaar is anticipated to open its doors within the fiscal year 2025-26. Shoppers will have the opportunity to relish the experience until 1 a.m., according to an NDMC representative.

The chairperson of the NDMC, Keshav Chandra, along with Vice-Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal, emphasized the civic agency's dedication to upgrading urban infrastructure in alignment with Vision@2047 and the necessities of future-ready environments.

The Night Bazaar aims to be a significant advancement in the capital's goal of creating global standard spaces that enhance the quality of life, offering a more elevated, relaxed, and secure shopping experience in the central business district during late hours.

With a focus on drawing a substantial number of tourists, the NDMC's plan for the city's inaugural Night Bazaar takes cues from various global hotspots, including the Taman Connaught Night Market in Malaysia, Marrakech Night Market in Morocco, Forodhani Gardens Night Market in Tanzania, Huaxi Street Night Market in Taiwan, Temple Street Night Market in Hong Kong, and the Bugis Street Market in Singapore.

The idea of a Night Bazaar has been discussed for over a decade in Delhi, with previous attempts by city planners to implement this concept at Dilli Haat in INA and Nehru Place in South Delhi.

At one point, the vacant Super Bazar building in Connaught Circus was considered as a potential Night Bazaar location but was ultimately dismissed due to the global trend of ground-level flea markets catering to night shoppers.

The NDMC's parking facilities in Connaught Place present the perfect setting for this initiative, according to the official.

No approvals will be granted for erecting permanent structures in the parking lots, which have been recently designated as the ideal site for the Night Bazaar, featuring numerous tents and fabric canopies, the official added.

After selecting the Connaught Place parking lots for the Night Bazaar, the civic agency opted not to renew the contract with private vendors managing those areas, intending to transform some of these spaces into temporary midnight shopping venues.

NDMC officials are optimistic that the Night Bazaar will also benefit from the Delhi government's recent notification allowing shops and commercial establishments to operate during night shifts as well.

This provision was enacted with modifications to the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act, 1954.

The Connaught Place Night Bazaar is projected to enhance the civic agency's revenue while promoting local businesses and trade, thus facilitating better commercial utilization of its assets, a priority stressed by Keshav Chandra for the Smart City team.