Revamped Kartavya Path gets ready for Republic Day fare

This will be the first Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path -- the renamed Rajpath -- after the completion of the redevelopment project

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will start preparation from December 15 for the Republic Day parade at the revamped Central Vista Avenue, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September. This will be the first Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, which was earlier called Rajpath, after the completion of the redevelopment project.

The revamped Central Vista Avenue near India Gate in New Delhi was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September. (HT Archive)

“A portion of the front lawns along Kartavya Path between Janpath and Mansingh Road will be closed to the public as we will start work on the saluting dais. Earlier, we used to begin parade preparations in the first week of November, but this time we will start from December 15 as most of the infrastructure is already in place,” said a senior CPWD official who asked not to be named.

For the 2022 parade, the CPWD had to make special arrangements as the redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue, which began in February 2021, was not complete.

“A lot of the infrastructure such as cables for CCTVs and public announcement system, has been put in place as part of the redevelopment project. This time, people will be able to access the amenities block for toilets and drinking water facility,” said a second official who also asked not to be named.

The ₹608-crore Central Vista Avenue, a part of the Centre’s ambitious ₹13,500-crore Central Vista redevelopment project, is the first of the six projects to be completed.

The CPWD is installing bleachers with 60,000 chairs for the public on eight lawns along Kartavya Path. “Last time, we created space for 30,000 people as some portions were under construction. We are procuring more bleachers to accommodate 30,000 more people,” said the second official.

The barricading of the area for the parade will begin in January. “Unlike earlier, we don’t have to dig holes in the ground to install barricades in the lawns, as metal sleeves have been put in the ground. We just have to install the barricades, which will not take a lot of time. Arrangements are being made to ensure minimum damage to the lawns,” said the second official .

The camp offices of various departments and ministries, which are involved in parade preparations, will be set up on the lawns beyond the canals. “Earlier, we used to erect wooden structures in the front lawns. But this time, we are using containers that will be stationed beyond the canals on both sides of the Kartavya Path. We have started placing the containers,” the official added.

The parking lots on both sides with space for 700-800 vehicles, which was under construction last time, will be reserved for government vehicles and invitees with special passes. CPWD will also install 10 large LED screens along the 1.8km-long Kartavya Path so the parade can be viewed easily.

Maintaining the revamped avenue

Three months after the revamped avenue was opened to the public, CPWD, the nodal agency for its construction and upkeep, has a challenging task to maintain the area due to high footfall, especially over weekends when there are an estimated one lakh visitors.

The biggest challenge, officials said, is maintaining the green space. CPWD is now planning to widen the walkways near India Gate at C-hexagon and the first two lawns along Kartavya Path close to C-Hexagon. “It is very difficult to maintain the lawns due to high footfall. We are thinking of widening the walkways so that there is more space available for people to walk. A final decision is yet to be taken,” said the first official.

The official added, “We are also exploring the option of increasing the vending area, as the existing space – five locations each with space for 40 vendors – is too little. But no decision has been taken in this regard.”