Now Reading: DUAC approves revised plan for Pranab Mukherjee samadhi at Rajghat
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DUAC approves revised plan for Pranab Mukherjee samadhi at Rajghat
The Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) has approved the revised proposal for a samadhi for former President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rajghat Samadhi Complex. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) had submitted the plan, which was earlier held back over design-related concerns.
At its May 14, 2026 meeting, DUAC had flagged several issues. It objected to a proposed photograph of Mukherjee on a granite platform, saying existing samadhis did not feature photographs and that this could affect the sanctity of the memorial landscape. It also raised concerns about proposed lighting beneath the square platform, which it said could be inconsistent with the understated visual character of the site.
The architect responded point by point to the observations. DUAC examined the revised drawings, documentation and photographs, and found the revised proposal acceptable. Mukherjee, who was India's 13th President from 2012 to 2017, died in August 2020. The samadhi will be at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, the designated common memorial site for deceased presidents, vice-presidents and prime ministers.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Times of India report is neutral straight reporting. It gives the sequence of DUAC's objections and the architect's responses without editorialising. The key point is that the dispute was about design harmony, not politics. The photograph and lighting objections suggest DUAC is enforcing a strict visual code at Rajghat. The next concrete step is construction, though no timeline is given in the report.
Coverage: 1 source, 1 neutral
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
