Prime minister to inaugurate Kartavya Path on 8 th September at 7 PM. Kingway to Rajpath to Kartavya Path !
The name of Rajpath would now be Kartavya Path to be inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi on September 8, on Thursday. Rajpath was earlier the Kingsway during British era that runs from Rashtrapati Bhawan to Vijay Chow n then to India Gate. This is the main road on which the annual republic Day parade takes place every day on 26 th January. Kingsway name was given to Rajpath in honour of the Emperor of Britain who visited Delhi in 1911. Rajpath was designed by the then British architech Edwin Lutyen and is one of the most important roads of the capital. According to the former director of NDMC Madan Thapliyal the name of Kingsway was changed to Rajpath in 1961, fourteen years after seeking independence from the colonial rule.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ‘Kartavya Path’ on 8th September, 2022 at 7 PM. It symbolises a shift from erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power to Kartavya Path being an example of public ownership and empowerment. Prime Minister will also unveil the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate on the occasion. These steps are in line with Prime Minister’s second ‘Panch Pran’ for New India in Amrit Kaal: ‘remove any trace of colonial mindset’.
Over the years, Rajpath and adjoining areas of the Central Vista Avenue had been witnessing pressure of increasing traffic of visitors, putting stress on its infrastructure. It lacked basic amenities like public toilets, drinking water, street furniture and adequate parking space. Further, there was 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 redevelopment has been done bearing these concerns in mind while also ensuring the integrity and continuity of architectural character.
Kartavya Path will exhibit beautified landscapes, lawns with walkways, added green spaces, refurbished canals, new amenity blocks, improved signages and vending kiosks. Further, new pedestrian underpasses, improved parking spaces, new exhibition panels and upgraded night lighting are some other features that will enhance the public experience. It also includes a number of sustainability features like solid waste management, stormwater management, recycling of used water, rainwater harvesting, water conservation and energy efficient lighting systems, among others.
The statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, which will be unveiled by the Prime Minister, is being installed in the same place where a hologram statue of Netaji was unveiled earlier this year on Parakram Diwas (January 23) by him. The statue, made of granite, is a fitting tribute to the immense contribution of Netaji to our freedom struggle, and would be a symbol of the country’s indebtedness to him. Crafted by Shri Arun Yogiraj, who was the main sculptor, the 28 feet tall statue has been carved from a monolithic granite stone and weighs 65 MT. ( with inputs from PIB)
