Safdarjang’s tomb to be lit up for 3 hours every night

The monument is not open to public after dark, so you will have to enjoy the spectacle from outside. However, officials said they were considering a plan to allow restricted entry in the monument complex during night.

Starting Thursday, Safdarjang’s tomb will be lit up every day for three hours after sunset.

HT Image

The monument is not open to public after dark, so you will have to enjoy the spectacle from outside. However, officials said they were considering a plan to allow restricted entry in the monument complex during night.

Till that happens, whenever you are driving down Aurobindo Marg, especially if you are atop the Safdarjang flyover, keep your eyes peeled for this spectacle.

Fifth sight

The 18th century monument was illuminated on Thursday as part of the Union Ministry of Tourism’s project to illuminate 13 heritage monuments protected by Archaeological Survey of India in Delhi, ahead of Commonwealth Games 2010.

Safdarjang’s tomb is the fifth monument illuminated so far, after Purana Qila, Sher Shah Gate, Khair-ul Manzil Masjid (opposite Delhi zoo) and Sabz Burj (tomb on the roundel near Humayun’s Tomb).

July deadline

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), which was entrusted with the job of illuminating the tomb, has installed 700 lights of the energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED) type.

“The remaining eight monuments would be illuminated by July 2009,” said ITDC Director (commercial and marketing) Rajiv Makin.