New Delhi (NVI): Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today performed the ‘bhoomi pujan’ for the redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue between the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate.
The government plans to hold the 2022 Republic Day parade on the newly-developed Rajpath, a project that is being executed under the government’s ambitious Central Vista redevelopment plan.
According to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the ground-breaking ceremony was held at India Gate Lawn where senior officials, including ministry secretary Durga Shanker Mishra, were present.
The redevelopment of the avenue — which comprises Rajpath, leading from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate — will involve restructuring the avenue, creating underground passes, landscaping the green areas and comprehensive maintenance and operation of the same for five years.
Puri said, “It will be a symbol of modern India. Some do not understand its importance, some do not want the country to progress. They were questioning COVID-19 vaccine too but as all can see, we had a phenomenal rollout.”
“With this ceremony, the work has started for the development/redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue. The 3km-long Central Vista Avenue stretches from North & South Block to India Gate, and includes Rajpath, its adjoining lawns and canals, rows of trees, Vijay Chowk and the India Gate plaza,” according to a statement issued by Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
“This was originally designed to be a grand processional pathway to the Viceroy’s House during the British Raj. It was appropriated by the people of India and their government during Independence,” the ministry said.
The CPWD, which is executing the government’s Rs 13,500-crore Central Vista revamp project, said that the redevelopment work of Central Vista Avenue will be executed in a phased manner so that some parts of Rajpath are available for visitors.
The redevelopment project of the Central Vista — the nation’s power corridor — envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a common central secretariat, revamping of the three-km-long Rajpath, from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, new prime minister residence and PMO, and new Vice President Enclave.
-CHK
