Staff Reporter / New Delhi
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has approved the proposal to rename Rajpath as ‘Kartavya Path’. Lok Sabha MP and NDMC member Meenakshi Lekhi said the proposal was approved on Wednesday in a special meeting of the NDMC Council.
“We have approved the proposal to rename Rajpath as Kartavya Path in the special Council meeting today,” Meenakshi Lekhi said.
NDMC Vice Chairman Satish Upadhyay said now the entire stretch and the area from the Netaji statue at India Gate to the Rashtrapati Bhavan will be known as ‘Kartavya Path’.
The proposal was sent to the NDMC by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Addressing a press conference, Lekhi said that the region was created by imperial powers during British rule and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has eradicated it.
“Rajpath was formerly known as King’s Way but since democracy is not to rule over others, hence, the name ‘Kartavya Path’ has been accepted. Post-independence we chose the system of democracy. The idea is to a participatory nature and people need to be bound by the duties,” Lekhi was quoted by ANI.
“We carried forward colonial mindset after Independence. Rajpath conveys you have come for ‘Raj’. PM said that country is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and we have to end imperialistic policies, and symbols. So, the name of Rajpath has been changed to Kartavya Path,” she added.
The redeveloped Kartavya Path has all new pathways, made using the signature red sandstone, and new facilities have been added to the lawns. The water stretch has been extended and walkways have been added which go through the ponds. The Kartavya Path will be opened to the public soon.