'Symbol Of Colonialism Erased Forever': PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Kartavya Path In Delhi

'Kartavya Path' will exhibit beautified landscapes, lawns with walkways, added green spaces, refurbished canals, new amenity blocks, improved signages and vending kiosks.

PM Modi arrived at the venue to unveil the statue of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose at 7 pm today. (Image: ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated 'Kartavya Path', a newly named stretch Rashtrapati Bhawan to India Gate and also unveiled a 28-foot statue of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose near India Gate in New Delhi. The mega event is being attended by bigwigs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Union ministers. The Prime Minister arrived at the venue to unveil the statue of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose at 7 pm today.

"Symbol of colonialism 'Kingsway' will be a history and has been erased forever. A new era has begun in the form of Kartvyapath. I congratulate all the people of the country as we come out from another symbol of colonialism," PM Modi said after the inauguration.

"In the last 8 years, we have taken several decisions which had the imprint of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He was the first head of 'Akhand Bharat' who unfurled the national flag in the Andaman & Nicobar islands," he said.

"Today a huge statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has been installed near the India Gate. During British rule, a statue of a representative of the Britishers stood here. With installation of statue of Netaji, we have established a new path for an empowered India," the Prime Minister added.

"Rajpath was for the British for whom the people of India were slaves. It was a symbol of colonialism. Now, its architecture has changed, and its spirit has also changed," he said. 

Before the inauguration, PM Modi interacted with workers who were involved in the redevelopment project of Central Vista. He told 'Shramjeevis' that he will invite all of them who worked on the redevelopment project of Central Vista for the 26th January Republic Day parade.

The Prime Minister also witnessed exhibition on revamped Central Vista Avenue.

PM Shri @narendramodi unveils statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. https://t.co/pGExzNvucd

— BJP (@BJP4India) September 8, 2022

Kartavya Path, formerly know as Rajpath in New Delhi, has red granite walkways with greenery all around, refurbished canals, state-wise food stalls, new amenity blocks and vending kiosks.

The reason behind name change, government says it symbolises a shift from erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power to Kartavya Path being an example of public ownership and empowerment. "These steps are in line with the prime minister's second 'Panch Pran' for New India in Amrit Kaal: 'remove any trace of colonial mindset'," a government statement said.

PM Shri @narendramodi inaugurates 'Kartavya Path' in New Delhi. https://t.co/nVfafldOkb

— BJP (@BJP4India) September 8, 2022

It is also being said that 'Kartavya Path' will exhibit beautified landscapes, lawns with walkways, added green spaces, refurbished canals, new amenity blocks, improved signages and vending kiosks.

Additionally, new pedestrian underpasses, new-age parking facilities,  exhibition panels and upgraded night lighting are some other features that will give visitors a state-of-the-art experience. 

While speaking to news agency PTI, an official from Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said that there would be heavy deployment of police personnel and security guards to ensure that there is no theft and damage to newly-installed facilities. Around 80 security guards will keep an eye on the stretch, he added.

The redevelopment of the entire stretch from Vijay Chowk to India Gate has been executed by Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited and the project was tendered at Rs 477 crore. The entire stretch has been revamped under the Modi government's ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project.