New Delhi : Shedding yet another colonial baggage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the erstwhile Rajpath as Kartavya Path on Thursday at 7 pm, the PMO said on Wednesday.
The road turns from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill to National Stadium in the capital.It symbolizes a shift from erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power to Kartavya Path being an example of public ownership and empowerment, the PMO said.
“As we complete 75 yrs of Independence, it is only fitting to shed the colonial baggage & move towards India@100 in the Amrit Kaal our own legacy. The renaming of Rajpath to Kartavya path is a reminder that the spirit of public service is not ‘right to rule’ but ‘duty to serve,” Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi wrote on Twitter.
The Prime Minister will also unveil the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate on the occasion, whose hologram the citizen witnessed during the Beating Retreat this year.
These steps are in line with Prime Minister’s second ‘Panch Pran’ for New India in Amrit Kaal: “remove any trace of colonial mindset”, the PMO added. Over the years, Rajpath and adjoining areas of Central Vista Avenue have 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 organize 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, the PMO added.
Kartavya Path will exhi bit beautified landscapes, lawns with walkways, added green spaces, refurbished canals, new amenity blocks, improved signage, 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 affirming others, the PMO said.
The statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose 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 PMO said that the statue, made of granite, is a fitting tribute to the immense contribution of Netaji to India’s freedom struggle, and would be a symbol of the country’s indebtedness to him.
Crafted by Arun Yogiraj, who was the main sculptor, the 28 feet tall statue has been carved from a monolithic granite stone and weighs 65 MT.
