The bhoomi poojan ceremony of Central Vista Avenue project was performed by MoS(I/C) for Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep S Puri at India Gate, New Delhi, on 4 February 2021. With this ceremony, the work has started for development/ redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue.
The Avenue, starting from North & South Block to India Gate that includes the Rajpath, its adjoining lawns and canals, rows of trees, Vijay Chowk and the India Gate plaza, is a three km long stretch. This was originally designed to be a grand processional pathway to the Viceroy’s House during the British Raj.
The Centre approved a proposal for development of Central Vista Avenue with estimated cost of Rs 608 crore on 10 November 2020. Requisite permissions from Delhi Urban Arts Commission, Heritage Conservation Committee, Central Vista Committee, Local Body, etc have been obtained.
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has been entrusted to carry out this work. Phase-I work of development has been awarded by CPWD to Shapoorji Pallonji Company with the cost of Rs 477 crore through competitive bidding on 08 January 2021 and work has commenced form 4 February 2021.
The components of development work under Phase-I include refurbishing of landscaping and lawns, which includes green cover being increased from 3,50,000 sq mtr to about 3,90,000 sq mtr; proper public amenities with toilets, drinking water facilities and vending area are being provided at 10 locations for visitors and tourists; make it more pedestrian friendly with underpasses being provided at Janpath and C-Hexagon crossing with Rajpath.
It also includes adequate walkways being provided along Rajpath, canals; walkways across lawns with low level bridges over canals to ensure better connectivity with parking, public amenities at 12 suitable locations; canals will be refurbished with proper lining and aerators are being provided to keep the water clean; and sewerage treatment plant for recycling of waste water.
In addition, adequate parking space for cars, two-wheelers, buses, etc will be provided; signages, lighting, CCTV cameras, drainage, rain water harvesting, water supply system will be offered; and foldable seating arrangement will be made to reduce time taken for installation and removal of temporary seating arrangement during Republic Day Celebrations.
Adequate measures will be taken up to mitigate environment pollution during the construction/retrofitting work with focus on water conservation and use.
