Fitting in the old and the new

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH),funded by the World Monuments Fund to work out the details of the Heritage Route,has signed a MoU with the Ministry of Tourism on the same. It has suggested setting up of a body to oversee a coordinated implementation of the project.

A simple stretch of paved footpaths is planned along Pragati Maidan,as well as plazas near the ticketing counters.

“Pragati Maidan is a place of contemporary interest,and two important heritage structures in the area are Matka Peer and Bhairon Mandir. A BRT stretch has already been sanctioned for this route. Seating arrangements and floor-paving work near the drop- off points are being planned,” said A G K Menon,Convenor of the Delhi Chapter,INTACH.

The stretch also includes Purana Qila and the National Zoological Park on one side and the Lal Darwaza and Khairul Manzil Masjid on the other.

According to the circuit maps,a larger plaza is planned at the intersection of these structures. “The plaza will be a connecting point between the heritage structures. Tourists will be able to take a break here from sightseeing,” Menon said. “These places are,however,under different government bodies like the Public Works Department,the Delhi Development Authority and the state government. Though this area has major tourist attractions,these bodies get renovation work done separately and there is no coordinated effort,” he added.

The plaza here is likely to offer a wider variety of food items. Stepped seating arrangement with fountains and public art installations on the steps are also proposed in the space. The pavilion is designed to have display panels with information regarding schedules of cultural events happening in the Capital.

“With popular sites like Purana Qila and the Zoo,this area already attracts tourists in hordes. The plaza will thus be spread over a larger area and will have proper food courts,” said an INTACH official.

A larger parking area is being planned near the Zoo.

Work in progress: Humayun’s Tomb
The area near Humayun’s Tomb is being renovated by the Aga Khan Trust,which has completed restoring the gardens and has also been commissioned to restore the Tomb. The Trust is working on a plan to renovate adjoining areas and organise slums in Nizamuddin. Though the area is part of the Heritage Route,minimal intervention has been suggested by INTACH,except changes in the pavement to incorporate a common floor pattern.