The Kartavya Path, a 3km long tree lined path, which extends from the Rashtrapati Bhawan to the India Gate, is one of the most visited tourist places in Delhi, India. Indian Republic Day parade and many other ceremonial functions takes place at this path.

Early Design

It was designed using exemplary urban planning instruments, including: a strong axis (from the ridge of Raisina Hill towards the Jamuna river), an emphasised focal point, formation of important nodes, and a definitive termination point.The Viceroy’s House became the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the All India War Memorial became the India Gate. These buildings in the Central Vista stand apart as iconic monuments of the Republic of India.

Current use and Limitations

The original stretch of the Kartavya Path has undergone multiple changes over the course of time. Despite the evolution, the Path remains to be an important public space for the citizens of our nation. Several modifications were made to the Kartavya Path, post-independence.

Despite multitude of efforts to preserve the space, essential facilities of Kartavya Path had degraded over the years, since the original landscape was not designed for heavy use. The public spaces and facilities for civic users, including pathways and street furniture had become increasingly stressed and uncomfortable to use. Further, the Republic Day arrangements needed to be better planned in a less disruptive manner for ensuring minimal restrictions on public movement and less damage to the landscape on an annual basis. Some of the issues that needed attention in the Kartavya Path were heavy traffic , heavy public use , need for better arrangements , not pedestrian friendly and inadequate facility for vendors.

Redevelopment

As a part of the Central Vista Master Plan, the Kartavya Path has been revamped, its infrastructure upgraded to suit the growing need of improved recreational spaces for the city. New social amenities have been provided, while retaining its essential character, revamped and refurbished to upgrade it to expected quality.

Numbertree served as Internal auditor for the Kartavya path redevelopment project.