Delhi is undergoing a remarkable transformation, one that is reshaping its landscape and infrastructure. Amidst the urban evolution, the city is embracing a renewal of its monumental assets along with the emergence of restored lakes, lush gardens, vibrant nurseries, and green walkways.
Recently, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena inspected the ongoing restoration work of 17th-century Roshanara Bagh, terming it as the new soon-to-be tourist destination in the national capital.
Spread over 57 acres, the garden housed the tomb of Begum Roshanara – the second daughter of emperor Shah Jahan and Begum Mumtaz Mahal.
Now a mega redevelopment in and around the heritage land is underway, encompassing a restored lake, garden, nursery, and walkways. From last one year, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other government agencies have been undertaking multiple projects to rejuvenate the space, including revitalising a dead lake in the complex.
Previously, MCD also set up the state-of-the-art nursery at Roshanara Bagh, spanning in 8.5 acres, which was earlier lying covered with construction and demolition waste.
These developments not only beautify the surroundings but also put new life into the city, offering city residents and visitors new spaces to retreat and rejuvenate.
Delhi’s very own Varanasi Ghat
Earlier this month, Delhi got its very own Varanasi-like arti ghat viz Vasudev Ghat. The ghat is located along the western bank of the Yamuna between Yamuna Ghat and Nigam Bodh Ghat.
The first in the city to be built by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the ghat was previously inaccessible due to a steep slope, garbage, and had 1.5-foot-deep silt deposits from the 2023 July floods.
It has now been restored riverbank with carved pavilions and lush greens with seasonal flower beds of tulips, marigolds, and sadabahar, more than 2,000 native and naturalised trees, and 400,000 riverine grass saplings.
City’s first Bamboo park
In September last year, Delhi also got its first Bamboo park called ‘Baansera Park. Located near Sarai Kale Khan, the green space includes a musical fountain and other facilities on a bamboo theme at the park.
Situated along the western banks of the Yamuna, Baansera is spread over an area of 28 acres, and features over 15 varieties of 30,000 bamboo plants.
Many firsts of Delhi
In the last few years, DDA has undertaken the work of conservation, development and redevelopment of the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Sanjay Van, Asita, and Shalimar Bagh among others.
DDA also took up a mega task and revamped Fifty-four notable historical ruins and monuments within the 199-acre park in Mehrauli last year.
As Delhi embraces these changes, it exemplifies an amalgamation of modernity and nature, enriching the cityscape’s newfound charm and vitality.