The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is set to establish a new department exclusively focused on promoting art, culture, and heritage in the capital’s prestigious Lutyens’ Delhi area. This move, unanimously approved in the recent NDMC council meeting, comes with an annual budget allocation of around ₹50 crore, signaling a strong commitment to cultural revitalization in the city’s heritage zones.
NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal revealed that the department will spearhead multiple initiatives aimed at transforming New Delhi into a vibrant cultural hub. Among the key plans are the development of artist hubs and the organization of monthly cultural festivals featuring ambassadors from G20 countries, reflecting the city’s global stature and India’s cultural diplomacy. In recent years, NDMC has significantly enhanced public spaces with sculptures and thematic art installations under the “Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi” project, which gained widespread acclaim during the G20 Summit. The new department will be responsible for the upkeep of these installations and the addition of new public artworks, ensuring that art remains a visible and integral part of the urban landscape.
One of the flagship projects includes the reopening of the Srijan Art Gallery at Nehru Park in January 2025. This open-air gallery will offer a weekly platform for emerging artists to exhibit and sell their creations, making art accessible to the public free of cost. Additionally, NDMC plans to beautify streets with vibrant street art, launch “Music in the Park” events, organize art exhibitions in Connaught Place subways, and host an annual Mandi House Art Festival.Further efforts will focus on creating art plazas and rehearsal spaces, supporting grassroots cultural activities such as street performances and nukkad nataks (street plays) by easing permissions. These steps align with NDMC’s broader vision to integrate heritage conservation with contemporary cultural development, enhancing Delhi’s identity as a global capital of artistic excellence. This dedicated department marks a significant milestone in NDMC’s ongoing efforts to nurture a thriving cultural ecosystem in New Delhi, blending tradition with modernity while fostering inclusivity and creativity in the heart of India’s capital.