CM Rekha lays foundation stone of Atal Garden

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday laid the foundation stone of Atal Garden, a 50-acre public park to be developed along the Najafgarh drain in the Uttam Nagar Assembly constituency. The project aims to boost green cover, curb pollution and provide residents with a large, multi-purpose recreational space equipped with modern civic amenities.

Calling the project a “lifeline” for Uttam Nagar, the chief minister said the park would feature an Amphitheatre, open gym, food court, Chhath ghats and seating areas for all age groups. “A 12-foot-tall statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will also be installed. Atal Garden will be developed beyond public expectations and dedicated to citizens at the earliest,” she said, directing officials to ensure timely completion.

The Chief Minister said the concept for the park emerged during an inspection of the Najafgarh drain, which she described as one of the largest drains flowing into the Yamuna and in urgent need of rejuvenation.

The Delhi Government, she added, has resolved to undertake comprehensive treatment of the drain and adjoining areas, including new roads and improved connectivity between localities.

Cabinet Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh Verma, MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat, MLA Pawan Sharma, and senior officials attended the ceremony. Singh said no major development work had been carried out in the area earlier and that the new initiative would transform the locality within months.

Speaking on the occasion, Verma said that no significant development works had been undertaken in Uttam Nagar by the previous government, while encroachments continued on available land. Local residents had long demanded a well-developed public park. He said that the present government has initiated this project and work is progressing at a fast pace. Within the next four months, the area will be transformed into a major recreational destination with Chhath ghats, developed water bodies, modern walkways, green spaces, an amphitheatre, sports facilities, an open gym, a food court and public amenities.

The Atal Garden project aims to create a modern and inclusive community space for residents of the area. The project includes the development of two Chhath ghats and the installation of a 12-foot statue of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. Recreational facilities will include an amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 200 persons, an open gym and a food court. To enhance green cover, around 50 acres will be developed with lawns, and more than 6,000 saplings of indigenous species such as Amaltas, Neem, Siris, Gulmohar and Mango will be planted. The project also includes the construction of walking tracks, a public stage, public toilets and security guard rooms.

BJP to hold Atal Smriti Sammelans

Delhi BJP will organise a series of “Atal Smriti Sammelans” across all 70 Assembly constituencies of the capital between December 28 and 31 to commemorate former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, party president Virendra Sachdeva announced on Saturday.

The commemorative campaign was inaugurated on December 25 by BJP national working president Nitin Nabin at the Kasturba Nagar Assembly constituency, in the presence of Delhi BJP chief Sachdeva, MP Bansuri Swaraj, MLA Neeraj Basoya and other party leaders. The remaining 69 constituency-level meetings will be addressed by a mix of state and national office-bearers, the party said.

Sachdeva said the initiative aims to acquaint new party workers with Vajpayee’s ideals and contributions.