The Hindu : Central Park to sport new look

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2003

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Central Park to sport new look

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI JUNE 17. The once popular Central Park of Connaught Place would have a different look altogether, after the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) completes construction of two metro stations here in September 2005.

The impressive fountain in the middle of the park would now figure only in the archives of the New Delhi Municipal Council.

An aesthetically constructed amphitheater in the middle of a large water body would now be the main attraction of the Central Park. It is being constructed in such a way that the bowl shaped amphitheater would give the impression of a float.

The DMRC Managing Director, E. Sreedharan, said the new plan has been approved by the competent authorities including NDMC. "This would be a natural auditorium. We are doing fresh landscaping and regreening of Connaught Place,'' he said. The Delhi Metro had earlier said it would restore the Central Park after construction is over.

Towards the Barakhamba Road the park would also have a water channel with small pathways across. Four pedestrian bridges would also take a person inside amphitheater. The open space, no doubt, would be reduced but the redesigned Central Park would look more beautiful and attractive than ever.

With two metro stations -- one above the other -- below the Central Park, Mr. Sreedharan said scores of saplings would be planted in the periphery. ''Inside it would be greenery all around with grass, bushes and flower beds. We will give Delhi a better and beautiful park,'' he claimed.

While one Metro station would be for Vishvidyalaya-Kendriya Sachivalaya stretch, the second underground station would be for the Barakhamba Road-Dwarka corridor. The entrances, which will be common to both the stations, would be opposite A, B, D and F Block of the Connaught Place. The parking lots for these stations in the Inner Circle opposite the Central Park would have direct access to these entrances, with lifts for physically challenged.

Once completed, the stations at Central Park would attract as many as 1.5 lakh passengers, of which only 20,000 would come out of it. Mr. Sreedharan said the Metro would be giving funds for two years for the maintenance of the park after it is handed over to NDMC.

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