The Hindu : New Delhi News : Plan to make Delhi a "heritage city''

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 28, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Plan to make Delhi a "heritage city''

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

Conservation of monuments to acquire new dimension

NEW DELHI: : Development of parks, heritage sites and proper conservation of monuments is all set to acquire a new dimension with plans being drawn up now for a comprehensive project that would make Delhi a "heritage city'' in time for the Commonwealth Games-2010.

The matter was discussed at a meeting between the Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi, B. L. Joshi, and the officials of the Delhi Development Authority at Raj Nivas earlier this month. As the Vice-Chairman of DDA, Madhukar Gupta, made a mention of the letter written by the convener of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), O.P. Jain, requesting that INTACH be invited to make a project for showcasing Delhi as a heritage city, Mr Joshi approved of the idea.

The Lieutenant-Governor said that along with INTACH other eminent persons should also be brought on board so that "useful suggestions'' are obtained and the matter can be proceeded forthwith.

The concept of projecting Delhi as a heritage city is not only about declaring it as such, but creating a unique selling proposition (USP) for it ahead of the Commonwealth Games to attract more and more tourists to it.

Plan of action

Mr. Jain said that in the letter to DDA he had presented a six-point plan of action to project Delhi as a heritage city. "Though Delhi with over 1,200 listed monuments is as it is a heritage city, we are viewing the Commonwealth Games as a great opportunity to complete some unfinished tasks in making it really live up to the reputation and this involves development, upkeep and conservation of six different areas of historical importance.''

Elaborating on the proposals, he said, "one of the major areas of work would be the development of an archaeological park in Mehrauli and integration of the 26 acre Qutub complex with the 100-acre Jamali Qamali area which has around 50 monuments.''

The plan also envisages development of the Tughlaqabad Fort area, and the Nizamuddin area with Humayun's Tomb being the given utmost importance.

Another old part of Delhi, the Walled City, is also sought to be conserved under the plan with special emphasis on Chandni Chowk, Dariba Kalan and Kinari Bazar, where heritage walks have also been introduced.

Moving to comparatively newer Delhi, the letter seeks a concerted action plan for proper care for the Central Vista in Lutyens' Delhi.

Here it also envisages development of Connaught Place, Gol Dak Khana and Gol Market in tune with their historic importance.

Mr. Jain said the objective behind the entire move is to get all the civic agencies concerned like the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi Development Authority, the New Delhi Municipal Council, the Delhi Administration and the Central Government on a common platform to find and develop strategies for achieving the desired objectives.

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