Battery-operated vehicles, replanting “historical orchards”, heritage trails — these are part of a proposed layout plan for the Mehrauli Archaeological Park proposed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court has recommended that the court may consider approving the plan, which involves dividing the 75.49-hectare park into four zones.
The archaeological park is part of the South-central ridge, and part of notified reserved forest. Of the total area, around 40.69 acres is woodland, in addition to 55 monuments and the park that already lies in the area.
While recommending approval, the CEC has said that connectivity to the monuments in the park is necessary by improving and developing tracks and only “basic tourism infrastructure and facilities” are included in the proposal. The committee’s report also said the woodland will be protected.
The CEC noted: “The two parts of the park, presently bifurcated by road, are proposed to be linked through a semi-underground pass 12 metres in width and 3 metres in height…”
In zone one, spanning around 77.53 acres, “revived historical orchards,” heritage trails, an open-air theatre, a children’s play area, battery-operated vehicle routes, shelters or pavilions, kiosks, pedestrian, and vehicular entries and car parking are proposed.
The smaller zone two, covering 33.5 acres, will include outdoor temporary exhibition areas, yoga and meditation areas with “space for events” and areas for workshops, food festivals and temporary bazaars, kiosks and interpretation centres.
Zone three, covering around 37.72 acres, will comprise the forest areas that are part of the archaeological park. It will be “developed as a nature park” with an “adventure play area,” nature trails, kiosks, and a bird park, according to a recent report submitted by the CEC to the Supreme Court.
Zone four, another 37.78 acres, is likely to include a rock garden, camping area, orchards, and a butterfly park. These zones will also include public utilities and signages.
The DDA has also proposed to integrate the Qutub Minar complex with the park.
On what these historical orchards are likely to be, the proposal says that native plants associated with the Ridge will be re-introduced.
Around 1.48 hectares of forest land is likely to be diverted for tracks, toilets, kiosks, a restaurant, nature interpretation centre, and security cabins. However, the DDA proposal says no trees will be felled.
The Ridge Management Board in Delhi had recommended the proposal for the CEC’s approval.
When the DDA carried out demolitions of homes near the archaeological park earlier this year, it had said then that the land is being reclaimed for its “rightful use by all citizens as a park” and that “the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi has, on many occasions, directed the government authorities to secure, protect and preserve the area falling under Mehrauli Archaeological Park by removing illegal encroachment”.