GoM to resolve war memorial row

The Armed Forces,which has drawn up a concept paper with a detailed plan,are pushing for a memorial at India Gate as it would be fitting to the memory of soldiers who died for the country.

The concept paper calls for a war memorial around the Chhatri that is located at the India Gate complex. However,the Urban Development Ministry has expressed reservations on the subject and availability of land at the India Gate. The proposal has been opposed by them,as it is a heritage area that should not be altered. The problem,Defence Ministry officers explain,is objections to the plan to alter a part of the India Gate complex to accommodate an additional war memorial that will have the names of post Independence battles. At present,the India Gate memorial carries the names of soldiers who died in the World Wars.

Several other suggestions,including setting it up at Princess Park near India Gate and Dhaula Kuan near the airport,have also been doing the rounds,but have been rejected by the Armed Forces.