Delhi Gate, Khooni Darwaza, and Salimgarh Fort get illuminated at short notice

Ahead of the G20 Summit to be held on September 8-10, LG VK Saxena has been taking rounds at all the important places in Delhi for its beautification. The three important monuments – Delhi Gate, Khooni Darwaza, and Salimgarh Fort – too have been in his
roster, as he described them as the “original entry gate of the city”.

The work on illumination of the monuments was done at a short notice, 20 days.

Praveen Singh, Superintendent Archaeologist at Archaeological Survey of India, told Patriot that the illumination of these monuments was done on an urgent basis.

“The LG has been visiting important places all over Delhi ahead of the Summit. We received the information and immediately started working on its illumination. As of now, only Delhi Gate is left and will soon be illuminated. We are arranging the generators for the lights,” Singh told Patriot.

The stretch of Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg near Delhi Gate has also been decorated with fountains and G20 boards. Additionally, the stretch of Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, connecting Delhi Gate to New Delhi Railway Station, has also been freed from encroachments and
a stretch of Subhash Chandra Bose Marg, which connects Delhi Gate to Red Fort, has been beautified.

Some other monuments like Purana Qila near Pragati Maidan have also been lit up. According to PWD officials, the illumination of these monuments is here to stay and will not be removed after the G20 Summit.

“While the lights have been installed for the Summit, it will become a permanent fixture at these monuments. It will enhance the experience of tourists as well as residents visiting these spots. It will also help eradicate dark spots,” a senior PWD official was quoted as saying by a section of the media.

The PWD is redeveloping and beautifying around 15-20 more stretches. Some of these stretches include Bhairon Marg to Science Museum, Ring Road to ITO, IP Marg, among others.