Kartavya Path Inauguration Highlights: Rajpath, a symbol of slavery, has now been consigned to history, says PM Modi

Without taking Nehru's name, Modi said that “If India had followed path shown by Subhas Chandra Bose, then country would have reached a new high; sadly he was forgotten.” – PTI

He said that Kingsway or Rajpath, a symbol of slavery, has now been consigned to history and has been erased forever. PTI

Speaking after unveiling a 28-feet statue of Netaji and inaugurating Kartavya Path, the stretch of road from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate earlier known as Rajpath, Modi said the renaming has given the country a new energy and inspiration. – PTI

Rajpath was for the British for whom the people of India were slaves. It was a symbol of colonialism. Now, its architecture has changed, and its spirit has also changed: PM Modi – ANI

PM Narendra Modi tells workers involved in redevelopment work of Central Vista avenue he will invite them for Republic Day parade: Officials.

PM Modi unveils the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose near India Gate and pays floral tributes to him

Mamata Banerjee says that an undersecretary “is not supposed to write to a CM inviting him or her”.

Banerjee claims Centre's invite 'lack of decency'.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to skip the ceremony.

According to the latest reports, it weighs about seven tonnes.

The Netaji idol, which will be inaugurated by PM Modi later in the evening, is made of granite, a sculptor was quoted as saying.

The PMO says that Kartavya Path would help in easing the traffic movement and vehicular pressure.

A statement from the PMO says that there was a need for a less disruptive way to mark the Republic Day parade.

Delhi | From 6pm to 9pm traffic diverted from C hexagon & 10 feeder roads leading to it. People requested not to use these roads. Over 450 traffic officials, 28 cranes, 50 bikes on duty to keep traffic flowing: Patel Aalap Mansukh, DCP Traffic before inauguration of 'Kartavyapath' (ANI)

With the historic Rajpath in the heart of Delhi getting a new name, “Kartavya Path” (path of duty), the government has linked it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for freeing the country of a “colonial mindset” as part of the “five pledges” he invoked on the Independence Day, reported PTI. The government said the move is part of a continuous and conscious effort by the prime minister to shed the baggage of colonial legacy and colonial symbols and replace those with Indian traditions and strategic thought.

There are 16 bridges on the entire stretch. Boating will be allowed in two canals — one near the Krishi Bhawan and another around the Vanijya Bhawan. Stepped plazas have also been created at the India Gate precinct.

Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited has executed the redevelopment of the entire stretch from Vijay Chowk to India Gate. The project was tendered at Rs 477 crore.

Apart from 400 benches and 600 new signages, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), an executing agency of the project, has placed 150 dust bins on the entire stretch.

According to a PTI report, four new pedestrian underpasses have been built at busy junctions to segregate vehicular traffic from pedestrian movement, making the street safe to cross. According to an official, 74 historic light poles and all chain links have been restored, upgraded and reinstalled on the site and more than 900 new light poles have been added where necessary to ensure that the space is always safe for visitors.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the unveiling of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's statue in New Delhi, the legendary freedom fighter's daughter Anita Bose-Pfaff urged political parties in the country to work towards bringing the ashes at Tokyo's Renkoji Temple to India, reported PTI. Modi will unveil the 28-foot statue of Bose at India Gate in the national capital on Thursday. “It was my father's ambition to experience a free India. Tragically his untimely death denied him this wish. I feel his remains should at least touch the soil of India and bring closure to the matter,” Bose-Pfaff, an economist, said in a statement issued from Germany. “Therefore, I appeal to the people of India and to all Indian political parties to unite in an apolitical and bipartisan manner to bring my father's mortal remains to India,” she said.

A new signboard bearing 'Kartavya Path' is fixed near Taj Mansingh hotel following renaming of Rajpath as 'Kartavya Path', in New Delhi, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav)

Delhi | Visuals ahead of the inauguration of 'Kartavya Path' & unveiling of the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate, by PM Narendra Modi today pic.twitter.com/X7ZvRr3XcB

— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2022

Security personnel guard at the Kartavya Path ahead of the launch of the revamped Central Vista Avenue in New Delhi, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav)

The PM in his Independence Day speech had announced “Paanch Pran” for a new India in “Amrit Kaal”. The Second Pran was to “remove any trace of colonial mindset.”

New signboard bearing 'Kartavya Path' unveiled following the change of Rajpath to Kartavya Path, in New Delhi, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.

Preparations are in full swing for the inauguration ceremony today.

The DTC has been requested to organise a 'park and ride' facility from the following pick-up points to C-hexagon — Bhairon Road, Rajghat, Connaught Place and JLN stadium, the traffic police advisory added People are advised to avoid using their private vehicles and cabs to travel to Central Vista, reported PTI. Instead, they should use public transport or avail 'park and ride' facility, the traffic police advisory added.

New signboard bearing 'Kartavya Path' unveiled following the change of Rajpath to Kartavya Path, in New Delhi, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav)

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) and other public transport authorities are also requested to plan the movement of their fleet vehicles in advance and avoid the above-mentioned roads, the advisory stated.

The statue of Bose, which will be unveiled by the Prime Minister, is being installed at the same place where a hologram of Netaji was unveiled earlier this year on Parakram Diwas (January 23) by the PM. Crafted by Arun Yogiraj, the 28 feet tall statue has been carved from a monolithic granite stone and weighs 65 MT.

In a statement, the prime minister's office said over the years, Rajpath and adjoining areas of the Central Vista Avenue had been witnessing pressure of increasing traffic of visitors, putting stress on its infrastructure, a PTI report said. It lacked basic amenities like public toilets, drinking water, street furniture and adequate parking space. Further, there was inadequate signage, poor maintenance of water features and haphazard parking.

The CPWD has reportedly set up five vending zones where 40 vendors each will be allowed and two blocks near the India Gate with eight shops each. Some states have shown their interest to set up their food stalls. The entire stretch has been revamped under the Modi government’s ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project.

Traffic movement will also be diverted on K G Marg (from C-hexagon to Madhav Rao Scindia Marg Crossing) and Copernicus Marg (from C-hexagon to Madhav Rao Scindia Marg Crossing), the advisory said.

Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg (from C-hexagon to Subramanian Bharti Marg Crossing), Pandara Road (from C-hexagon to Subramanian Bharti Marg Crossing), Shahjahan Road (from C-hexagon to Q-point), Akbar Road (from C-hexagon to roundabout Mansingh Road), Ashoka Road (from C-hexagon to R/A Jaswant Singh Road), the advisory said.

According to the advisory, traffic movement will be diverted from roads such as Tilak Marg (from C-hexagon to Bhagwan Dass Road Crossing), Purana Quila Road (from C-hexagon to Mathura Road), Shershah Road (from C-hexagon to Mathura Road).

PM Modi will unveil a 28ft statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose near India Gate today!

An official in the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said there would be heavy deployment of police personnel and security guards to ensure that there is no theft and damage to newly-installed facilities, reported PTI. Around 80 security guards will keep an eye on the stretch.

Delhi High Court and Patiala House Court will close at 3PM in view of Central Vista inauguration.