Four artistic gateways planned at city entry points
A towering figure of King Anangpal Tomar at Dhansa and an Ashoka Chakra standing on an ornate pillar at Arjangarh are among the striking features planned at Delhi's entry points, as the city prepares to welcome visitors with gateways that reflect its history and identity.
The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) has planned construction and beautification of four entry points at Kapashera, Arjangarh, Auchandi (Kharkhoda) and Dhansa. The designs are based on the history and character of the areas around the borders and different themes linked to Delhi.
According to an official, each of the four gateways will have its own artwork and architectural style, with themes including Heritage Delhi, Indraprastha, democracy, Yamuna, gardens of Delhi, cultural capital, Republic, unity in diversity and Delhi through the ages.
At Kapashera Border, which connects Delhi with Gurugram in Haryana, the proposed gateway will carry a large "WELCOME TO DELHI" sign. The design shows a guru sitting under a tree with students around him, giving the entrance a strong connection with learning, knowledge and the region's cultural history, he shared.
He further said that the gate will show the guru and students placed above a series of large arches, with decorative patterns filling the spaces around them. Green areas and trees have also been included on both sides, giving the gateway a mix of traditional design, public art and greenery.
Moving towards the Auchandi (Kharkhoda) Border — connecting Delhi with Haryana's Kharkhoda-Sonipat region — the design becomes more elaborate and has a strong heritage character. Two large human figures on the gateway pillars will be constructed, while a group of horses, chariots and other figures forms a prominent decorative element above the central entrance, the official said.
At Arjangarh Border, which connects Delhi with Gurugram in Haryana, the history and identity of the area are represented through a series of artistic pillars. The proposed designs include a lotus, heritage-style jaali work, patterns representing the Yamuna, a tree with leaves and, most prominently, a pillar carrying the 'Ashoka Chakra', he said.
The Dhansa Border will take visitors further into Delhi's historical past. The proposed gateway has a large figure of King Anangpal Tomar with a sword, surrounded by ornate decorative work, giving the entrance a distinctly historical and royal appearance, according to him. The border connects Delhi with Haryana.
The choice of King Anangpal Tomar at Dhansa is aimed at highlighting Delhi's historical past and its association with the Tomar ruler, who is known to have established and populated Delhi in the 11th century and is credited with establishing Lal Kot, one of the city's earliest fortified settlements, the official said.
With an estimated cost of Rs 39.90 crore, the project will include maintenance of electrical and horticulture works for three years after completion, he said and added that it also provides for terracotta, mixed-media, glass mosaic, stone, stainless-steel and Corten-steel artworks.
Together, the four gateways are planned to offer different glimpses of Delhi to people entering the city -- from the guru and students at Kapashera to heritage figures at Auchandi, symbolic pillars at Arjangarh and King Anangpal Tomar at Dhansa, creating four distinct artistic welcomes to the capital.
