Creating another green vibrant urban hub, the Lt Governor VK Saxena, on Saturday inaugurated the redeveloped parks along the ramparts of the historical Walled City in Daryaganj, as Kranti Udyan. He had first visited the site about 18 months ago and had instructed for the areas beautification.
Kranti Udyan is part of the larger project of redevelopment of Four Parks contiguous to the Walled City along the Mahatma Gandhi Marg, opposite the Samadhi Complex. It aims to integrate and develop parks spanning 35 acres across approximately 1.7 kilometers along the Ring Road. Inspired by the Kartavya Path near India Gate, the project is designed to offer similar recreational opportunities to the people in lush green settings, said a DDA Press release.
The project combines a formal garden, a neighborhood park, and a Mughal garden against the backdrop of heritage monuments. It has been redeveloped under the guidance and supervision of Hon’ble Lt Governor.
Saxena had visited the four parks along Mahatma Gandhi Marg—Delhi Chalo Park, Ghata Maszid Park, Urdu Academy Park, and Sadbhavana Park. Because the site falls under protected and regulated zones of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), all plans were formally approved by the ASI and the National Monument Authority. Two of these parks, Ghata Maszid Park and Urdu Academy Park, were combined and have been renamed Kranti Udyan.
Spanning nearly 10 acres, Kranti Udyan emphasizes organic forms and is designed as a neighborhood park to meet the needs of the local Daryaganj residential area. Its key features include two seating pavilions, terraced lawns, a shaded senior citizens’ plaza, children’s play areas, a multipurpose playground, an open gym, and other public facilities.
The two pavilions feature distinctive sculptural concepts, lending each its own identity. The park’s design draws visitors closer to the adjacent old wall, enhancing appreciation of its heritage context.
One of the edge courts highlights its proximity to the Old City wall and one of the thirteen darwazas of Shahjahanabad. Construction materials include murram, grit finish, and CC pavers, with the green areas divided into lawns and low-maintenance plantings that create a dramatic visual effect. The surrounding area has a strong heritage context, given the park’s adjacency to the City Wall, Raj Ghat, and other samadhi sthal sites across Ring Road.
This series of parks also caters to the recreational needs of the Darya Ganj residential colony. Adjacent sites on both sides of Kranti Udyan are under construction, each employing a different concept, and are expected to be completed soon for the benefit of the people of Delhi. The project is envisioned to become a vibrant urban hub where visitors can immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the amenities of a well-maintained park.
Under the guidance and supervision of Lt Governor, DDA has undertaken various redevelopment works of heritage structures, which include Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Sanjay Van and St James Church.
