Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the refurbished Central Vista Avenue - which would be known as the 'Kartavya Path' - on Thursday evening. Central Vista Avenue - which extends from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the iconic India Gate - regularly sees several key ceremonial events, including the Republic Day parade.
The inauguration ceremony will begin at 7 pm when PM Modi will unveil the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the revamped stretch. The government has also announced a four-day-long cultural function on the revamped stretch. Along with this, the government has also planned a cultural function and a drone show on Bose that will begin after the inauguration.
Here are five things to know about the changes in Central Vista Avenue:
1. The 'Kartavya Path' has been lined with lush lawns, 16.5km of red granite walkways, refurbished canals, repaired and polished facades, public amenities, special vending zones, and improved signages.
2. An amphitheater and 16 food stalls have been installed. Along with this, low-level bridges over the refurbished water channels have been developed.
3. New four pedestrian underpasses have been developed along with a space to accommodate approximately 1,000 cars.
4. According to an official government release, new exhibition panels, and upgraded night lighting has also been put up to enhance the public experience.
5. The revamp also includes several sustainability features - solid waste management, recycling of used water, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting systems.
The renowned section of road is getting a major revamp as well, with new pedestrian underpasses, better parking places, new exhibition panels, and increased night lighting among many other improvements.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, these actions are in keeping with Prime Minister Modi's second panch pran for New India in Amrit Kaal, which is to "eliminate any vestige of colonial thinking," one of Modi's five commitments to make India a developed nation by 2047.