New Delhi: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Monday convened a special meeting with the objective of renaming the Rajpath and Central Vista lawns as Kartavya Path, said Sources, as reported by news agency PTI. "The entire road and area from the Netaji statue at India Gate to the Rashtrapati Bhavan will be known as Kartavyapath," they added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the entire stretch from Vijay Chowk to India Gate as part of his government's ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project on the evening of September 8, officials of the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said.
During his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, PM Modi emphasized on eliminating the symbols associated with the colonial mentality.
Central Vista Avenue along the Rajpath will have state-wise food stalls, red granite walkways with greenery all around, vending zones, parking lots, and round-the-clock security.
A senior official said there would be two blocks near the India Gate and each block has eight shops, adding that some states have shown their interest to set up their food stalls.
"Ice cream carts will only be allowed in the vending zones. Although we have not taken any decision, we will ensure that these ice cream trolleys are not allowed along roads," the official said.
This section will open to the public after 20 months. On the day of the inauguration, visitors will not be allowed to go from India Gate to Man Singh Road, but they can use the remaining part. From September 9, the entire section will be opened to the general public.
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the project's executive agency, has set up five vending zones, where 40 vendors (each as per the plan) will be allowed and will not be allowed to sell their goods to visitors in the garden area.