For the mall-maniac
Delhiites the recent news of reviving
raja garden cultural center might provide more options to spend their
weekends in the near future. After a slumber of
six year, one’s most talked about project of
Delhi government, has finally move beyond papers. With the Delhi cabinet finally authorising the
Public Work Department (PWD) to sign a contract with the
Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), the centre will see the light of the day soon.
Constructed beneath a 1.3km long Raja Garden flyover just next to Shiva ji Place District center, the center was devoid of any activity since 2005, the year when it was constructed. “Whenever we used to visit the malls near Raja Garden, the beautifully constructed Cultural Center used to attract out attention. But we did not know what exactly it was and why it was lying vacant. It’s quite heartening. To know that now it will become functional. Malls have already become quite monotonous and it will be a welcome change,” says priya Maheshwari, from Rajouri Garden.
The foundation stone for the cultural center was laid in 2003 and the construction finished in 2005. Spread over an area of about 13,000 square metre area the centre has a dedicated space and Kiosks for coffee shops, bookstores, cyber café, library, a tourist information center, food court, gymnasium as well as an amphitheatre and art walk. Though several announcements were made after 2005 and deadlines were set to start the cultural center, it has remained in nonfunctional state till today.
But now with the government’s efforts the center will encourage cultural activities and provide a multiutility center in West Delhi. As per the cabinet decision, the manage DTTDC will be authorized to operate and manage the center appoint an asset
The Cultural center is
located on Ring Road very close to Rajouri Garden Station of Delhi Metro. There is good connectivity to the
cultural center and it will attract a large number of visitors from other parts of the city as well.
“Most of the cultural center in the city are located either in Lutyen’s or South Delhi and not well connected with Metro services. It’s novel and interesting idea to have a cultural center just beneath a flyover. The opening of Raja Garden cultural center will provide a good option to Delhiites participate in various cultural activities as it is right on the Metro route,” says Saurabh Ramanna, a resident of Ramesh Nagar.
So, now that the wait for the opening of the much delayed center is finally over, the cultural center will be a new landmark in the cultural landscape of the city.
