As part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, inaugurated the ‘Kartavya Path’ at India Gate in the national capital and said the symbol of colonialism ‘Kingsway’ will be history and has been erased forever.
Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘Kartavya Path’ here, the Prime Minister said,” A new era has begun in the form of ‘Kartavya Path’. I congratulate all the people of the country as we come out from another symbol of colonialism.”
Modi said the ‘Rajpath’ was for the British Raj, to whom the people of India were slaves.
“The spirit of ‘Rajpath’ was also a symbol of slavery, its structure was also a symbol of slavery,” the Prime Minister said.
“Today its architecture has also changed, and its spirit has also changed,” he said.
The Prime Minister said today a huge statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has been installed near the India Gate.
“During British rule, a statue of a representative of the Britishers stood here. With installation of statue of Netaji, we have established a new path for an empowered India,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said in the last eight years, “We have taken several decisions which had the imprint of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He was the first head of ‘Akhand Bharat’ who unfurled the national flag in the Andaman & Nicobar islands.”
“Today, the country has changed various laws that were there since the time of the British. Through the National Education Policy, now the youth of the country are being liberated from the compulsion of foreign language,” Modi said.
Before the inauguration, PM Modi interacted with the workers who were involved in the redevelopment project and told them that he will invite all of them who worked on the Central Vista redevelopment project for the January 26 Republic Day parade.
He also witnessed an exhibition on revamped Central Vista Avenue.
Prime Minister Modi also unveiled a grand statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose near India Gate. The jet black granite statue, with a height of 28 feet will be placed under the Canopy near India Gate.
According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the move symbolises a shift from the erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power to the ‘Kartavya Path’ being an example of public ownership and empowerment.
“These steps are in line with Prime Minister’s second Panch Pran for New India in Amrit Kaal: remove any trace of the colonial mindset,” said a PMO statement.
Over the years, Rajpath and adjoining areas of Central Vista Avenue had been witnessing pressure of increasing traffic of visitors, putting stress on its infrastructure. The PMO said that 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,” it said.
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