THE DELHI Urban Arts Commission has come up with a new vision for the Capital. The idea is to use Delhi rich past for a richer future. Sellit as a heritage city, in the same league as, perhaps, Rome.
The commission, of course, believes Delhi has a better case than Rome. Professor A.G.K. Menon, head of the heritage task force, says, "Delhi's heritage is richer than that of Rome and it should be ready to sell itself as such by the 2010 Commonwealth Games."
It is time to look beyond the tourist circuit of isolated monuments - the Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb. Last year, the DUAC had set up 13 task forces to promote participative development in the Capital. Professionals like
architects, social scientists and town planners were asked to work on different aspects of the city.
Some of the projects the task forces have proposed: a computer-aided virtual walk through the city monuments; tourist rides from Nizamuddin Dargah to Red Fort with stopovers at Ferozeshah Kotla and Darya Ganj; a walk down Shamnath Marg, the Rajpath of north Delhi.
About the proposed heritage circuit from Nizamuddin Dargah to Red Fort, Menon says the route will also be redefined with proper street-scaping and street furniture to make it look like one composite route.
{{/usCountry}}About the proposed heritage circuit from Nizamuddin Dargah to Red Fort, Menon says the route will also be redefined with proper street-scaping and street furniture to make it look like one composite route.
{{/usCountry}}The north Delhi task force, headed by Ashok Lall, dean, TVB College of Habitat Studies, has proposed the upgradation of Shamnath Marg to a ceremonial avenue. Historic buildings like IP College, Oberoi Maidens and the Vidhan Sabha are housed on the road.
"We want to reclaim the streets for pedestrians by redesigning the pavements and integrating bus stops, pavements, signage and shaded walkways," says Lall. "At the same time, motorised transport will be allowed."
These proposals will be showcased at an exhibition next month.