Subways to connect Rajpath, India Gate

NEW DELHI: The restoration plan for Rajpath has at least some good news for those who love frequenting the lawns in the area. India Gate will become approachable from Rajpath by two subways at the hexagon.
At present negotiating the crossing is a major hurdle for pedestrians. There is also a proposal to turn Rajpath into a no-stopping zone for vehicles keeping security concerns in mind.
The plan was presented to the Union urban development minister on Wednesday, NDMC sources said."Basically, it is an attempt to clean up the zone and give it a look that befits an area of national importance. At present, buses stop all over the place, and the parking area close to Rajpath is used for activities like bathing, eating, playing cards," an official said.
NDMC sources said that the plan was to move the parking behind Krishi Bhawan while additional parking was to be created along children''s park. But officials add that India Gate lawns which are popular spots for Delhiites will not be touched. "The lawns are probably the last of safe open spaces in the city which a family can visit. We will merely make it neater and prevent vandalisation. Shifting the parking becomes necessary as with the Metro rail coming to Rail Bhawan, volume of people coming to the area will go up," the official added.
The subways are going to be fully-populated and well-illuminated. "We are going to let out space for shops. People will only use these facilities if they are sure that they are safe," the official added. The civic agency is working in association with other agencies like the CPWD, Central Vista Committee, the urban development and defence ministries for preparing a plan to restore the stretch as per the original plan.
While CPWD will give the buildings in the area a makeover, NDMC will be looking at organising the available spaces better, improving pedestrian and parking facilities and restoring the original look of the stretch.
The agency is also looking at moving out encroachments by various civic and security agencies in the lawns flanking Rajpath. "There are a few camps of security personnel. NDMC has a small shed and CPWD is also occupying some land. All this will simply have to go," the official added.