‘I want to transform Delhi from a transit to a tourist destination’

Sanat Kaul, DTTDC chairperson, wants to convert Delhi into a tourist magnet. Among the treats the Tourism Department’s planned is a high-design bridge at Wazirabad—surrounded by nature walks, recreational zones and gardens—and upgrading the Garden of Five Senses and the Najafgarh drain, dumping ground for the capital’s sewage, into a water-sports complex

By Bhupendra Narayan Singh

New Delhi is all set for a major facelift, with the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) planning to develop a slew of new facilities and landmarks in this
city-state.

Among the most ambitious projects being undertaken by the DTTDC is the cable-stayed Signature Bridge at Wazirabad, the area around which will also be developed as a tourist destination, complete with nature walks, recreational zones, gardens, amphitheatre, and so on. The bridge, scheduled to be commissioned by 2009 and already approved by the Delhi Cabinet, will cost Rs 464 crore. The Cabinet has also approved sanction of funds directly by the state urban development department.

The 185-metre high bridge will have eight lanes. The first of its kind in Delhi, it will have a bow-shaped pylon about 185 m in height with cable stays on one side and back stays on the other. The total length of the proposed bridge will be 575 m, including approach spans. The pylon will have two-level viewing galleries on top accessible by two lifts.

It will connect National Highway-1 on the western bank and the Wazirabad Road on the eastern bank of the Yamuna. The proposed East-West corridor over the river will cater to the needs of commuters from Yamuna Vihar, Gokul Puri, Nand Nagri, interstate traffic from Ghaziabad, Sahibabad on the eastern side and Timarpur, Burari, Mukherjee Nagar, Mall Road and Northwest Delhi on the western bank. The new bridge will also have pedestrian subways, footpaths and lower-level roads.

Speaking to Realpolitik, DTTDC chairperson and managing director Sanat Kaul spelt out his plans to attract more tourists to Delhi. “My aim is to transform Delhi from a transit destination to a tourist destination. Delhi gets a large number of tourists from within the country and abroad. But what is happening at the moment is that we are not able to hold these tourists in the city for long. They invariably move ahead to other destinations such as Agra or Rajasthan. We are now focussing our energy on reversing this trend: give tourists more to do in Delhi, and get them to stay longer.”
With Delhi gearing up to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games, DTTDC has plunged itself into preparing the city for the extravaganza.

Tourist complexes at Chhawla and Kangan Heri
Till recently, all sewerage had been needlessly going down the Najafgarh drain. Had only our three-pronged strategy been put in place earlier, there would, in place of this hellish stretch, have been a haven for biodiversity seekers and a retreat for water sports tourists.

The sprucing up of such urban public water bodies could also be used for stocking fish on a whale scale. The canoeing, kayaking and rowing events being planned for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, 2014 Asian Games—and the Olympics—would have a new delightful venue. The Indian Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee concur. The site has also been inspected by the DTTDC and the irrigation and forest departments.

The International Level Course will have:

• A bridge-cum-barrage at Chhawla for which the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has been tasked to widen the approach road.
• A single-span bridge (120 m) replacing the existing two-lane Badu Sarai bridge.
  

Also planned is a boathouse with training facilities, equipment storage, and spectator and media facilities. A water treatment plant will ensure world-class bathing standards. Water quality will improve as effluent discharge is checked upstream. This will arrest algae formation and free the water of polluting inorganic material.

The latest lifeguard equipment will be installed. There will be scope for fishing enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs in fish farming and aquaculture.

Mini Heritage India Complex
India's vast size makes it impossible for the ordinary tourist to cover it all within a reasonable timeframe. The DTTDC proposes to set up a Mini India Heritage Complex that will showcase the bewildering diversity within 150 acres at Kanjhawala, West Delhi, approachable from NH-10 as well as Rohini.

It's a five-km drive from the Kanjhawala railway station, flanking NH-10. This piece of land, flat and under cultivation, is now poised for a transformation. The large johad (village pond) adjoining can be developed into a natural water body. The land is already with the Delhi government's Provincial Department of Rural Development (PDRD).

Delhi Tourism is also planning to start an artist-cum-designer corner at the sprawling Garden of the Five Senses at Said-ul-Ajab village. “Top fashion designers and artists will be given place to work and sell their wares at the Garden of the Five Senses,” says Sanat Kaul.

The DTTDC is also sponsoring the month-long “Global Village India” show from October 5 to November 5. It will be an international fair with a carnival-like atmosphere. Various countries will participate and set up their respective pavilions designed to reflect their heritage and culture. Shops will be allotted to each pavilion whereby a country will display its ethnic crafts. Dancers from around the world will showcase their talent.

Traditional crafts and folk dances of different countries will be woven around the theme of culture and heritage. An ambience will be created by marrying different cultures, crafts and cuisines of various countries.

Global Village India offers reasonable priced, limited liability opportunity to handicrafts manufacturers, artisans and dealers that visit India to get a feel of opportunities, interact and sell their wares. The Global Village will be designed to make New Delhi the preferred destination for Delhiites and their neighbours.`