Heritage-themed park in Delhi: Story of urban landscape transformation
India Today
A new park near the historic Red Fort parade ground will be inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind on March 20. The heritage-themed park has been constructed by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation.
A Mughal-style 'baradari' and rich stocks of flowers now dominate an open space near Jama Masjid in old Delhi which earlier was covered in filth, encroached from multiple sides and often used by anti-social elements.
The plot, owned by the local civic body, after months of hard labour and meticulous planning, has been transformed into a beautiful heritage-themed park that is slated to be inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday evening.
People associated with the planning and execution of the 'Heritage Park', which faces the Mughal-era Red Fort on one side, are ecstatic about this "urban landscape transformation" that they plan to replicate in neighbouring areas.
"Today it is a beautiful park, but those who are not aware, may not believe that the plot of land was in a total mess, filled with dirt and encroached upon from various sides. Drug addicts from neighbouring areas would assemble here often and one can still find such anti-social elements across the fence of this park," said architect Kapil Aggarwal, who designed the park.
Conceived in 2017, the park has been built with civic body funds and contributions from various MPs and former Union minister Vijay Goel, who has been "striving hard for the development of this 'Heritage Park' in the Walled City area," officials had earlier said.
Goel, who is known for his penchant for heritage preservation and is the owner of the Dharampura ki Haveli, a heritage hotel in old Delhi, said this park has been developed in an area that earlier was messy and in shambles.
"Now, it has been transformed into a beautiful, vibrant recreational space that celebrates the heritage of Delhi," he said.
