The government of India has announced to change the name of Rajpath and Central Vista lawns into Kartavya Path. The decision is said to shed remnants of the British colony in India. The decision came after a special meeting on September 7, convened with the aim of renaming the Rajpath and Central Vista lawns.  Earlier, the Modi government had changed the name of the road on which the Prime Minister’s residence is, from Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan Marg.

Kartavya Path includes the entire avenue and area from the Netaji Statue to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The route runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill through Vijay Chowk and India Gate to National Stadium in Delhi. The decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on independence day where he stressed the factors leading to the abolition of symbols and signs relating to the colonial mindset.

Central Vista Avenue:

• Central Vista Avenue is part of the government’s ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project. Central Vista Avenue is ready for inauguration after the completion of construction work on both sides of the Rajpath.
• The Central Vista redevelopment project includes a new triangular Parliament building, a common Central Secretariat, rejuvenation of the three-kilometer Rajpath, a new Prime Minister’s residence and offices, and a new Vice President’s Enclave.
• Central Vista Avenue along Rajpath will have state-wise food stalls, red granite walkways with greenery all around, vending zones, parking lots, and round-the-clock security, but people will miss just one thing Man Singh from India Gate.

Kartavya Path would include the entire avenue and area from the Netaji Statue to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Media reports said that the New Delhi Municipal Council is likely to endorse the government's decision this week.

"The entire road and area from the Netaji statue at India Gate to the Rashtrapati Bhavan will be known as Kartavyapath," reports said.

The move is in line with PM Narendra Modi's vision of shedding all traces of India's colonial past. In his Independence Day speech this year, the prime minister stressed the abolition of symbols that reflect the colonial mindset.

Last week, PM Modi unveiled the new ensign of the Indian Navy with the aim to do away with the colonial legacy.

On Thursday, PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the revamped Rajpath and Central Vista lawns.

The redevelopment project of the Central Vista -- the power corridor of the country -- envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a common Central Secretariat and the revamping of the three-km-long Rajpath from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate and new residences for the prime minister and the vice president.

The redevelopment project of the Central Vista - the nation's power corridor - also envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a common central secretariat, a new residence of the prime minister, a prime minister's office, and a new vice-president's enclave.

The revamped Central Vista Avenue along the Rajpath will have state-wise food stalls, red granite walkways with greenery all around, vending zones, parking lots, and round-the-clock security. But people would miss only one thing -- food will not be allowed on the lawns from India Gate to Man Singh Road.

The stretch will open to the public after 20 months. On the day of the inauguration, visitors will not be allowed on the stretch from the India Gate to Man Singh Road, but they can use the remaining part. From September 9, the entire stretch will be thrown open to the public.

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), an executing agency of the project, has set up five vending zones where 40 vendors each will be allowed and according to the plan, they will not be allowed to sell their items to visitors in the garden area.

A senior official said there would be two blocks near the India Gate and each block has eight shops, adding that some states have shown their interest to set up their food stalls.

"Ice cream carts will only be allowed in the vending zones. Although we have not taken any decision, we will ensure that these ice cream trolleys are not allowed along roads," the official said.

Earlier, the government renamed the road on which PM’s residence is located from Race Course to Lok Kalyan Marg.

In 2015, Aurangzeb Road was renamed A P J Abdul Kalam Road. In 2017, Dalhousie Road was renamed Dara Shikoh Road. Also, Teen Murti Teen Murti Chowk was changed to Teen Murti Haifa Chowk in 2018. There have been several proposals to rename Akbar Road, but nothing has been done yet.

(With inputs from PTI)