When the Rajpath reopens to the public next week after a 20-month hiatus, visitors will get to see a new Central Vista Avenue, including a new amenity block and dedicated vending zones, which can be used for ice cream carts and other street vendors. Will take the place that used to be in line. way.
According to officials of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on Saturday, the new look of the 2-km Central Vista Avenue, which stretches from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhavan, was likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 8. After that it will be open to the public the next day.
The redevelopment of the popular public space in the heart of the capital began in 2021 after the Republic Day parade and was to be completed by November last year. Though it missed the deadline, the Rajpath was prepared for the parade on 26 January this year. Work resumed after the parade, while the Rajpath remained closed to the public.
According to a senior official, the area will have five vending zones behind the India Gate lawns, each with space for 40 vendors, including a few ice cream carts. Earlier, ice cream carts, toy vendors and other street food vendors would be lined up on Rajpath. Apart from this, there will be eight stalls in two zones on either side of India Gate. Sources familiar with the development said these will have street food from 16 states, which were being selected by Delhi Tourism. A source said that Delhi Tourism is trying to prepare some of these stalls for the inauguration, the rest will be opened later.
Officials said picnics would not be allowed in the lawns from India Gate to Mansingh Road, while the areas behind the lawns have been opened to the public along with 16 permanent bridges over the canals. The locations outside the canals will have eight convenience blocks with toilets, kiosks and drinking water as well as parking space for a total of 1,100 vehicles. Boating will be allowed in two canals behind Krishi Bhawan and Vanjia Bhawan, an official said.
The first month after the reopening will see heavy police presence in view of the large number of visitors, the senior official said. There will also be around 50 security guards, 300 CCTV cameras and a control room for the police, the official said.
New lights, benches, signage, grass and saplings have been put in place for the inauguration. On Saturday, workers put the finishing touches on new underpasses and canals. While some minor works may continue, Rajpath will be open for public from next week, the official said.