Kartavya Path LIVE: PM Modi Inaugurates 'Kartavya Path,' Formerly Called Rajpath

The PM also unveiled a 28-feet statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

The Quint
India
Updated:
<div class="paragraphs"><p>Prime Minister <a href="https://www.thequint.com/topic/narendra-modi">Narendra Modi</a> unveiled the 28-ft Netaji Bose statue on Thursday, 8 September.</p></div>
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the 28-ft Netaji Bose statue on Thursday, 8 September.

(Photo: PTI)

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Kartavya Path Inauguration LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 'Kartavya Path' and unveiled the 28-ft Netaji Bose statue on Thursday, 8 September. He will inaugurate the revamped Central Vista soon.

The Kartavya Path has red granite walkways, refurbished canals, state-wise food stalls, new amenity blocks, and vending kiosks.

As per the central government, it symbolises a shift from erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power to Kartavya Path being an example of public ownership and empowerment.

Modi will also unveil a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the India Gate, along with an exhibition, which will showcase the before-and-after visuals of the Central Vista Avenue.

The entire stretch has been revamped under the Modi government's ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project.

  • The traffic police have made arrangements to ensure smooth vehicular movement in central Delhi

  • General traffic movement will be diverted from specific roads from 6 pm to 9 pm

  • The CPWD has set up five vending zones, where 40 vendors each will be allowed, along with two blocks near the India Gate with eight shops each

  • The Government of India on Wednesday renamed Delhi's Rajpath – extending from the Netaji statue to the Rashtrapati Bhavan – as 'Kartavya Path'

  • Along the Rajpath, the new red granite walkways stretch over 15.5 km

  • The redevelopment project of the Central Vista envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a common central secretariat, revamping the 3-km Rajpath, a new prime minister's residence and office, and a new vice president's enclave

‘Rajpath Was for the British’: PM Modi

"Rajpath was for the British for whom the people of India were slaves. It was a symbol of colonialism. Now, its architecture has changed, and its spirit has also changed," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after inaugurating 'Kartavya Path.'

PM Modi Inaugurates 'Kartavya Path'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates 'Kartavya Path,' the stretch between Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, it was earlier known as Rajpath.

PM Modi Unveils 28-Ft Netaji Bose Statue

PM Modi has unveiled the 28-ft Netaji Bose statue. He will inaugurate the revamped Central Vista soon.

Traffic Advisory

In the wake of the inauguration, DCP (Traffic) Patel Aalap Mansukh said that the traffic will be diverted from 6pm to 9pm from C hexagon and 10 feeder roads leading to it. He further advised the citizens to not use these roads during the given time, reported news agency ANI.

Four New Underpasses, 900 New Light Poles

Four new pedestrian underpasses have been built at busy junctions to segregate vehicular traffic from pedestrian movement, making the street safe to cross.

Apart from that, 74 historic light poles and all chain links have been restored, upgraded, and reinstalled on the site and more than 900 new light poles have been added where necessary to ensure that the space is always safe for visitors.

New Signboards Unveiled for Kartavya Path

Ahead of the inauguration, new signboards for Kartavya Path have been installed around the area.

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'Am I Their Bonded Labour?': West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Speaking on Netaji's statue, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "I feel bad they are now making a Netaji Statue in Delhi. What about the statue present before? I received a letter from an undersecretary stating PM will inaugurate the statue today and you be there before the event commences. Am I their bonded labour?"

Delhi Metro Will Provide Bus Service to Those Visiting Central Vista

Delhi Metro will provide bus service to those visiting India Gate/Central Vista from 9 September after the Central Vista's inauguration.

Six buses will be operated from Bhairon Road to Gate No 1 of the National Stadium C hexagon. They will be available from 5 pm to 9 pm, initially for a week, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said.

Netaji's Daughter, Most of His Family To Miss Statue Unveiling

Anita Bose Pfaff, Netaji's daughter, and most of his family will miss the unveiling of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's statue, due to what seems to be a late and sudden invitation.

No one, not even the members of the High-Level Central Committee that oversees the 125th year of Netaji's birth anniversary programmes knew about the decision to unveil Netaji's statue till 2 September, The Wire reported.

Chandra Kumar Bose, Netaji's grandnephew, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, on 3 September, suggested that the ideal date for unveiling the statue would be 21 October, Azad Hind Day, or Netaji's next birthday on 23 January next year.

He was quoted as saying, "Eighth September neither has any relevance nor any significance to Netaji."

He further informed that he has spoken to both Anita Bose Pfaff, Netaji's daughter and Ardhendu Bose, Netaji's nephew, and "they also feel the same."

Features: 16 Bridges, Parking Space for 1,125 Vehicles, 400 Benches

An official in the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said there would be heavy deployment of police personnel and security guards to ensure that there is no theft and damage to newly-installed facilities. Around 80 security guards will guard the stretch.

There are 16 bridges on the entire stretch. Boating will be allowed in two canals – one near Krishi Bhawan and another around Vanijya Bhawan.

The official said that maintaining cleanliness would be a challenge as people in a large number would throng the Rajpath, which is considered the most popular public space in the city, PTI reported.

"We appealed to people to maintain cleanliness. Large teams of sanitation workers will be deployed," the official said.

Another official said that parking spaces for 1,125 vehicles have been created along the entire stretch. A parking space for 35 buses has been created near the India Gate.

Seventy-four historic light poles and all chain links have been restored. Over 900 new light poles have been installed. Concrete bollards have been replaced with over 1,000 white sandstone bollards to maintain the precinct's character.

According to the ministry, over 400 benches, 150 dustbins, and more than 650 new signages have been installed along the entire stretch.

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Published: 08 Sep 2022,09:45 AM IST

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