Exclusive: To turn Rajghat plant into ‘nightlife hub’, Delhi power dept draws on NY, London, Essen, Toronto

“The initial proposal is in the planning stage… once it is finalised, it will be sent to the Cabinet for further approval and financial sanction. Further, the detailed project report will be prepared for execution on the ground,” said a senior official.

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Nightlife and revenue boost

Last year, the Delhi Government was considering the area for building a new Secretariat.

“People in Delhi don’t have many options right now. One goes to a movie or a mall, but how many hours will you spend… You come back by evening and watch television… Redeveloping this land to create a nightlife area will boost tourism and revenue and also save thousands of units of electricity,” Power Minister Ashish Sood said.

“We have studied and prepared case studies of all such models, and how they can be replicated or implemented in Delhi. For instance, the High Line park and garden in New York was developed after converting an old railway line into a 1.45-mile-long elevated park with lit pathways and seating, spurring adjacent nightlife… We have such huge land here in the heart of the city, lying unused for years now… If we redevelop it, not only will the people of Delhi finally have a nightlife area, but it will also boost the night economy for the government,” said a senior official.

The power department has proposed a promenade along the Yamuna, with solar-powered LED lights, benches made from recycled plant material, and lightweight, solar-charged pedal boats, ensuring zero-emission operations.

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“Even the Battersea Power Station in London was once a major coal station, which was redeveloped to host open-air concerts and theatre, using its iconic chimney as a dramatic backdrop with a mixed-access model… Here also, we have a chimney, and a similar model can be explored to construct a modular open-air plaza near the Rajghat chimney, featuring a versatile stage and tiered seating area for 500-1,000 people,” the official said.

The proposal also mentions weekly entertainment events like stand-up comedy nights, Sufi and Qawwali evenings, Bollywood dance nights, and DJ parties, similar to Toronto’s youth-driven events.

‘Delhi Night’ for tourism boost

Besides, the department has also proposed “Delhi Nights” in collaboration with Delhi Tourism, offering entry to the plaza with ticketed VIP zones, with tickets priced from Rs 200 to Rs 500, merging Battersea’s revenue model with Toronto’s accessibility approach.

“The Distillery District in Canada’s Toronto is a pedestrian-only industrial zone that hosts themed events like jazz nights and film screenings… Delhi is the national capital, but there is no night culture here… this will also be labelled as night tourism, attracting people from outside Delhi,” said a senior official.

The proposal includes a plan to retrofit a section of the plant and convert it into a museum with AR displays showcasing Delhi’s power evolution or revolutionary figures like Bhagat Singh. For this, the government studied the Zollverein coal mine in Essen, Germany — the coal plant was developed into a UNESCO site with a museum, blending history and technology.

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“This site is open for evening visits… We can develop a museum here at the Rajghat Thermal Power Plant, using touch screens and holograms like Zollverein’s exhibits to narrate stories, staying open till midnight or beyond… If it is developed, the government can tie up with schools for field trips, and revenue can be generated by setting up a small entry fee for tourists,” said the official.

The proposal includes plans for a 5D museum in collaboration with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), rooftop cafés, night markets, VR gaming zones, laser tag zones, escape rooms, outdoor areas, mini-golf and go-karting areas, and a 50-metre skydeck.

Of the total 28 acres, 70 per cent of the Rajghat Thermal Power Plant land is with the Delhi Government and the remaining falls under the DDA, said officials.

“The plan is that the redevelopment should be such that everyone — from families and couples to youth, school and college-goers — has a space to enjoy at night… There will be activities for all age groups, from educational to entertainment… There will be low entry fees for games and museums, and combo passes for cafés and games…The proposal is in the planning stage but once approved, other departments like PWD, tourism, DSIIDC, DDA and others will be roped in to execute the plan,” said officials.

Further, the government can rope in hospitality chains to manage bars, arcades and food zones on a 10-year lease contract, said officials, adding, “through this model, the Delhi government will maintain its funds and retain a 40 per cent revenue share.”

According to officials, if the proposal is approved, there are plans to urge Delhi Metro to extend the timings of its trains until 1 am.