India Blooms | PM Modi to inaugurate Kartavya Path today

Sep 08,2022

Modi will also unveil a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate.

All these are in line with the prime minister's second 'Panch Pran' for New India amid the Amrit Kaal celebrations that aims to remove "all traces of colonial past" from both mindset and locales.

The road runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill to National Stadium in the capital.

The renaming also metaphorically sets to symbolise the shift from erstwhile "Rajpath" being an icon of power to "Kartavya Path" being an example of "public ownership and empowerment", the PMO said as much.

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, the PMO added.

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 PMO said.

In view of the ceremony that will start by 7 pm, the Delhi Traffic Police has put out advisories coming into affect an hour ahead.

The central part of the capital city is expected to witness some traffic restrictions as the key avenue gets set to open to the public. General traffic movement will be diverted at specific roads between 6 and 9 pm.

Modi will arrive at the venue and start off with the unveiling of Netaji's statue at 7 pm.

He will then at 7.13 pm, walk up to the India Gate and around the fountain to the stepped plaza.

He will watch a performance with NDMC school children at the stepped garden at 7.17 pm.

He will take a walk through the Canal bridge at 7.22 pm.

At 7:25 pm, he will interact with the 'Shramjeevis', all this is as per the PMO release.

At 7.30 pm, Modi will inaugurate an exhibition -- 'Before and after of Kartavya Path' and arrive on the podium.

At 7.45 pm, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri will begin his welcome remarks.

Then the 1940 patriotic song "Subhmangal Gaan" will be played followed by a time-lapse audio-visual of Netaji.

PM Modi will address the event just after 8 pm before departing.