Bimal Patel

“WE ARE TURNING OVER A FORTRESS TO THE PEOPLE”

Tasked with the redevelopment of the capital’s central vista, architect and urban planner Bimal Patel insists his vision will “break down walls” and promote smarter government functioning. His critics, he warns, may be using the project as a “football to hit the government with”. Kai Friese interviewed the architect in February. Excerpts:

Q. We’ve seen a lot of bird’s eye views of the central vista, but everyone is curious to know what your redevelopment will look like from the PoV of a citizen on Rajpath.

When you’re standing on Rajpath, you’re going to see nothing. And that’s the big point. Presently, if you stand on Rajpath, there is an avenue of trees