The Hindu : Yamuna ghats all set for a face lift

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Yamuna ghats all set for a face lift

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 20. After taking up the greening project around Red Fort, the Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Vijay Goel, has shifted his attention to beautification of the Yamuna bathing ghats on the lines of the Har ki Pauri ghats in the holy city of Haridwar.

The Mahashivratri day on February 18 has been chosen for laying the foundation stone of the development plan for these ghats, Mr. Goel disclosed at a Press conference here today.

At the same time, Mr. Goel also announced that the Edward Park at Jama Masjid would be developed into a Children's Park, work on which will commence on January 23.

The park has been lying neglected for some time now. However, with the work for development of the park being taken up in the right earnest, the face of the area and the park would undergo a big change.

The Delhi Development Authority and the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) would execute work on both projects. Mr. Goel, who represents the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat, said he would request the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, to inaugurate the work on the bathing ghats to be developed along with the Yamuna river banks.

He said the Rs. 5 crore bathing ghats project was aimed at restoring the old heritage and cultural importance of these places. He said a proper staircase would be built and a survey of the area had already been carried out.

A total of nine ghats would be taken up for beautification under the scheme including the prestigious Qudsia ghat. He said in view of the religious importance of the place, it had been decided to create better facilities for the people to carry out their activities and the plan included beautification of the entire area.

He said two bathing ponds would be created to enable people to have a bath in clean water that would be provided through pumping of water from the source itself. The facility of having bath would be available round the year irrespective of the level of Yamuna.

Mr. Goel gave an assurance that not a single person would be displaced during this development exercise. In fact, a plan had already been drawn up to re-settle them in the same area.

The project includes development of vast green area, installation of fancy lights, music system, five visitors galleries and changing rooms for men and women.

Religious and architectural aspects would also be taken into consideration during the process of development. Adequate provision was being made for creation of parking space and proper garbage disposal.

In addition to this, he said a substantial amount of money would also be released for this project from his MP Land Area Development Fund.

The aim is also to make the entire area attractive for domestic and international tourists.

In addition to this, Mr. Goel said he was also pumping money for the development of Children's Park at Jama Masjid. The project would involve construction of an open theatre complex, swings for children and making the whole area green.

Expressing concern over the delay in the constitution of the Walled City Development Board, Mr. Goel said the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, had made a promise in this regard long ago but nothing has been done to fulfil this promise. He said if the Board was not constituted soon, he would be forced to launch an agitation.

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