New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated a stretch of the redeveloped Central Vista from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate that's been renamed from Rajpath to Kartavya Path. He has also unveiled a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Here’s the story in some key facts
“Netaji Subhash was the first Prime Minister of Akhand Bharat who had liberated Andaman even before 1947 and unfurled the tricolor,” PM MOdi said in his address on the occasion.
“If after Independence India followed the path of Subhash Babu, what heights would the country be at today! But unfortunately, this great hero of ours was forgotten after independence. His views, even the symbols associated with him were ignored,” PM Modi added.
The renaming of PM Modi Unveils Kartavya Path, Says “Rajpath Is History Now” is said to be in line with PM Modi’s Independence Day commitment of “removing traces of colonial mindset”. According to the government, it symbolizes a shift from the area being an icon of power to duty, public ownership and empowerment.
“How can Rajpath make the rulers realise if the name is Raj? Rajpath is a symbol of oppression and slavery. Today the architecture has changed. Now when MPs, Ministers will walk on Kartavya Path they’ll realise their responsibilities,” PM Modi said.
Rajpath was witness to the dawn of India’s Independence, and hosts the annual Republic Day celebrations. This ceremonial boulevard running from Raisina Hill complex to India Gate was first known as Kingsway, a central axis in the city of ‘New’ Delhi built after the British Raj shifted its capital here from Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1911.
The entire stretch has been revamped under the government’s ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project. The area around India Gate has not just been spruced up the vibe will change too — towards a more organized setup. The Amar Jawan Jyoti — a tribute to fallen soldiers — which was the key feature of INdia Gate, was shifted to the National War Memorial earlier this year.
The grand statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, housed in the India Gate canopy, is the Centerpiece. Made from a monolithic block of granite weighing 280 tonnes, the statue stands 28 feet tall. A team of sculptors spent 26,000 hours of “intense artistic endeavor”.
The government has assigned five dedicated vending zones where 40 vendors each will be allowed, which means the usual rush of ice-cream vendors around the India Gate will now be replaced by a regulated system. It is one of the most popular spots for locals and tourists alike. Two shop blocks with eight units each have also been built near India Gate.
To ensure there’s no theft or damage to the new features — signages, lamps, fountains — there would be heavy deployment of police and 80 security guards at least for the next few days.
This is just one part of the mega project. The redevelopment of Central Vista includes a new Parliament building, a common Central Secretariat, a new PM house and office, and a new Vice-President’s Enclave.
