The Delhi government is preparing to rename the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC), the agency responsible for preserving and restoring the heritage of Old Delhi, with a new identity rooted in the city’s ancient past. A final decision on the new name is expected soon, officials said, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta set to make the ultimate choice.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, three potential names have been shortlisted in order of preference: Indraprastha Virasat Punarsthaapana Nigam, Indraprastha Dharohar Sanrakshan Evam Vikas Parishad, and Indraprastha Punarutthan Parishad. The proposed names are designed to emphasise the cultural and historical significance of the Walled City, also known as Shahjahanabad.
Renaming Plan Emerges from High-Level Review
The proposal gained momentum following a high-level review meeting held on 13 March and chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. During the meeting, the government announced its intention to rename SRDC in a move that officials say is meant to reinforce the historical narrative of Old Delhi and strengthen its heritage-focused redevelopment efforts.
Officials involved in the process said the shortlisted names were discussed extensively before being ranked according to preference. The aim, they added, is to align the organisation’s identity with the deep cultural roots of the area it is tasked with conserving.
A final decision on the new name is expected in the coming days. Authorities believe the revised identity will highlight the importance of Shahjahanabad as a historic urban centre and reinforce the government’s commitment to protecting its architectural and cultural legacy.
Political Momentum Behind ‘Indraprastha’ Identity
The idea of renaming SRDC has been circulating for months and has strong backing from several leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In November 2025, during a corporation meeting, Praveen Khandelwal suggested that the organisation should be rebuilt from the ground up. At the time, he proposed alternative names including “Indraprastha Redevelopment Corporation” and “Chandni Chowk Redevelopment Corporation”.
The discussion is also part of a broader political push to revive the ancient name Indraprastha for the national capital. Earlier this year, Khandelwal wrote to Amit Shah requesting that Delhi be officially renamed Indraprastha. In his letter, he cited references from historical texts, archaeological discoveries, and traditions that link present-day Delhi to the legendary capital of the Pandavas described in the Mahabharata.
The demand was echoed last month during the Budget Session of the Delhi Assembly by Poonam Sharma, who also called for the capital to reclaim its ancient identity.
Legacy of Heritage Restoration in Old Delhi
The Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation was established in 2008 by the Delhi government to protect and restore the capital’s cultural and natural heritage. The body brings together experts in history, architecture, conservation, and urban planning to coordinate restoration work across historically significant areas.
Among its most widely recognised projects is the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk. The 1.6-kilometre stretch from Lal Jain Mandir to Fatehpuri Masjid was redesigned as a pedestrian-friendly corridor with upgraded building facades and improved public infrastructure. The project was widely viewed as a model for heritage-sensitive redevelopment in one of the most densely populated parts of the city.
Plans to extend the redevelopment corridor further towards Jama Masjid, however, faced repeated delays due to inter-agency disagreements and prolonged political disputes in the capital.
With the proposed renaming, the Delhi government hopes to provide the organisation with a renewed institutional identity while continuing its mandate of preserving the historic character of Old Delhi. Officials believe the change will symbolically link ongoing redevelopment work with the deeper civilisational narrative associated with the ancient city of Indraprastha.
