Kashmiri Gate and Delhi Gate to be restored in Delhi

NEW DELHI: After years of neglect, the two of the four surviving gates of Shahjahanabad—the capital city of Mughal emperor Shahjahan in Delhi—are being spruced up to greet the visitors and heritage enthusiasts.

Delhi Gate and Kashmere Gate-Mori Gate will soon have benches, ramps, tactile pathways and new signages. The plan is also to illuminate both sites.

Under the monument adoption scheme—Adopt A Heritage 2.0 of the culture ministry—these two gates have been handed to Red Tape Ltd for a period of five years. Besides cleaning the monuments, close circuit television (CCTV) cameras and heritage walks are also proposed. Wheelchairs may also be made available at the sites.

The city, established in the 17th century, was surrounded by an imposing wall with 14 gates, 14 wickets, and small entrances. Over the years, portions of the fortification’s gates were demolished to pave the way for the expansion and development of the city, and some parts fell prey to encroachment. At present, some length of the wall in Daryaganj and Kashmere Gate are and four gates, including Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate have survived.