Government of India
Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy of India at the time, assembled a Town Planning Committee to advise on the planning and design of the new capital. The Delhi Town Planning Committee was set up in 1912 to plan, develop and design the major buildings like the Viceroy’s House, the Secretariat buildings and for other structural work connected with the aesthetics of the new city. Edwin Lutyens became a member of this committee in March 1912.
The height of the Raisina Hill and the high ground behind it was seen as an advantage. These maps of Lutyens projected Imperial Delhi in 1910-12.
Aerial view of the newly constructed buildings and the Kartavya Path. The layout of the new city included gardens, parks and fountains. Thirteen kinds of special trees were selected by the committee for the avenue like Jamun, Neem, Imli, Arjan, Mulberry etc. These varieties were selected based on the idea that once planted and given sufficient water, they would require no costly upkeep.
Seen in the photo, public flocking to the streets of the Kartavya Path in 1947 after the declaration of Independence. It was the starting of a new era. This historic day paved the way for Indian public to take charge of their own country.
From 1950 and 1954, the venues of the Republic Day parade were the Red Fort, National Stadium, Kingsway Camp and the Ramlila ground. It was only in 1955 that Rajpath (currently known as Kartavya Path) was chosen as the venue for Republic Day.
Rajpath (currently known as Kartavya Path) has hosted all the Annual Republic Day parades since 1955, showcasing India’s military prowess and cultural diversity at the global stage. Whether be its ceremonial marches or the public recreation spots, this Avenue has become one of the most visited places in India.
Post-independence, the Kartavya Path, which extends along the 3 km stretch between the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the India Gate, were renamed: King’s Way became Rajpath, which is a magnificent icon of New Delhi.
Hon'ble Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri performed the 'Bhoomi Pujan' of the redevelopment of Kartavya Path on 4 February 2021. An auspicious ceremony was held at the India Gate Lawn, with the senior officials of the Ministry in attendance. The Kartavya Path redevelopment project entails re-organisation of public spaces and strengthening of recreational facilities.
The original stretch of the Kartavya Path has undergone multiple changes over the course of time. Despite the evolution, the Path remains to be an important public space for the citizens of our nation. Several modifications were made to the Kartavya Path, post-independence. An additional cross street (Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Marg) and node was added in order to cater to the increasing city traffic by improving north-south city connectivity. The landscape also started getting altered, with a new row of trees added in the 1980’s. ... Read More
Despite Kartavya Path being one of the most iconic spots in the capital city, the stretch had been plagued by issues such as haphazard parking of vehicles, especially during peak traffic hours.
Since the addition of new rows of trees in the Kartavya Path in 1980s, the green spaces in the Avenue had turned into wilting landscapes, with dry water canals. The civic amenities had become increasingly stressed and uncomfortable to use.
Previously, annual land use for Republic Day parade led to landscape damage. The Republic Day arrangements needed to be better planned and provided for, so as to cause less disruption to public movement and less damage to the landscape every year.
The previous facilities for civic users in the Kartavya Path had left a lot to aspire for, including crumbling pathways and extremely busy road junctions, which were dangerous to cross for people during peak traffic hours.
Kartavya Path had been plagued by issues such as disruptive vendor facilities, causing regular citizen inconvenience.
The extent of land usage, waste generation and public congestion on the Kartavya Path had resulted in extensive land and water pollution in and around the green spaces and the linked water channels.
Despite the changes, Kartavya Path continues to retain its basic character and serves many important functions, till date. It remains to be a setting for national and public events, a precious civic garden for the city and an important tourist attraction. Thus, redevelopment of Kartavya Path emerged as a priority area for the Central Vista Master Plan.
As a part of the Central Vista Master Plan, the Kartavya Path has been refurbished, its infrastructure upgraded, and new social amenities have been provided, while retaining its essential character, retrofitted and refurbished to upgrade it to befitting quality.
Pedestrian Friendly Underpasses A Transit Plaza has been developed, which shall manage the citizen footfall in a more efficient manner. Simultaneously, pedestrian underpass ensures safety and smooth transit for citizens.
Ample Parking Space The refurbished area has defined parking spaces for visitors and tourists, ensuring less congestion caused due to haphazard parking of vehicles in and around the Avenue.
New Stepped Garden As a part of the redevelopment of Kartavya Path lawn and walkways, the refurbished path has beautifully designed stepped gardens and refurbished canals, which contributes to the overall beautification of public spaces.
Bridges Across Canals Refurbished canals and bridges contributes to the overall beautification of the public spaces.
New and Improved Additional Public Amenities The improved area has drinking water facilities, toilets and vending areas. Additionally, an Amphitheatre is also planned to come up near the India Gate. Some of the other changes include CCTVs, signages for citizen convenience as well as rainwater harvesting systems at designated locations.
Signage Designs that are Innovative and Modern The new signs are legible - font, colours, text, icons, and symbols that clearly depicts activity in and around the area. It emphasises the area's distinctive qualities and advantages. The goal is to create long-lasting and durable signage that is both robust and easy to maintain, as well as a design that can be used both now and in the future.
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These trees were planted in an array of crosses on both sides of the Rajpath creating a serrated pattern along the Avenue
The original species palette had Jamuns, Pine species and topiaries of Bistendu and Maulsari
The original species palette had Jamuns, Pine species and topiaries of Bistendu and Maulsari
The original tree landscape had 454 trees in all. (reconstructed from a 1930's aerial image)
All existing trees have been surveyed, geo-tagged, mapped and catalogued as per size, species, health and age
