NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday inaugurate the newly-christened Kartavya Path — a stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate that will have red granite walkways with greenery all around, refurbished canals, state-wise food stalls, new amenity blocks and vending kiosks.
Here are 10 things to know about today’s key inauguration …
Here are 10 things to know about today’s key inauguration …
- The inauguration ceremony will begin at 7pm and will be attended by 1,500 guests followed by a cultural event, including a drone show on
Netaji ’s life. - The new ‘Kartavya Path’ stretch will exhibit beautified landscapes, lawns with walkways, added green spaces, refurbished canals, new amenity blocks, improved signages and vending kiosks. The entire stretch has been revamped under the Modi government’s ambitious
Central Vista redevelopment project. - According to the government, it symbolises a shift from erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power to Kartavya Path being an example of public ownership and empowerment.
PM Modi will also unveil a 28-foot statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate. These steps are in line with PM Modi’s second ‘Panch Pran’ for New India in Amrit Kaal: ‘remove any trace of colonial mindset’, the government said. PM Modi had announced Panch Pran (5 pledges) during his Independence Day speech this year.- The government said the redevelopment is being done to address various concerns such as increasing traffic of visitors, lack of basic amenities (public toilets, drinking water, street furniture, parking space), inadequate signage, poor maintenance of water features and haphazard parking. “Also, a need was felt to organise the Republic Day parade and other national events in a less disruptive manner with minimal restrictions on public movement,” the government said.
- A new pedestrian underpasses, improved parking spaces, new exhibition panels and upgraded night lighting are some other features that will enhance the public experience.
- Around 19 acres of total canal area have been revamped. They have been fitted with infrastructure such as aerators. There are 16 bridges on the entire stretch. Boating will be allowed in two canals — one near Krishi Bhawan and another around Vanijya Bhawan.
- Along the Rajpath, the area spreading 3.90 lakh square metre has been developed with greenery all around. Also, the new red granite walkways spreading 15.5 km have been created, replacing bajri sand that lined the ground earlier.
- The redevelopment project of the Central Vista — the nation’s power corridor — envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a common central secretariat, revamping the three-km Rajpath, a new prime minister’s residence and office, and a new vice-president’s enclave.
- The traffic police has made arrangements to ensure smooth vehicular movement in central Delhi where restrictions have been imposed for the event. General traffic movement will be diverted from specific roads from 6 pm to 9 pm, officials said.
