New Delhi: The plan for a samadhi to Pranab Mukherjee, the former President of India who died in Aug 2020, at the Rajghat complex has hit a hurdle after Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) declined approval to the design in its current form, citing deviations from the established visual language of the memorial precinct.The proposal, by Central Public Works Department (CPWD), was discussed in a recent DUAC meeting where there was a detailed discussion with the architect.Mukherjee, who was India’s 13th President from 2012 to 2017, is proposed to be commemorated at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, the designated memorial site for former Presidents, Vice-Presidents and Prime Ministers within the Rajghat complex.According to the minutes of the meeting, DUAC said two elements in the design departed from what was followed at other memorials in the complex — the installation of a photograph of the late President on a granite platform and lighting proposed beneath the square memorial platform.The commission noted that no samadhi has a photograph and cautioned against introducing such a feature. It said the inclusion of a photograph could affect the sanctity and contextual character of the larger commemorative landscape. Alternative approaches should be explored while ensuring that the memorial remains in harmony with approved guidelines governing the complex, it said.The proposed under-platform lighting also raised concerns about maintaining consistency with the understated aesthetic followed at the memorial site.DUAC also flagged several technical and presentation-related issues. It observed that the 3D visualisations submitted by the architects depicted surrounding areas in a manner that extended beyond the scope of the proposal. The commission directed that future representations should focus only on the proposed memorial while showing the rest of the complex in its actual existing condition to enable a fair assessment.The commission also called for greater clarity on material choices. It said the flooring proposed for the circumambulatory pathway should prioritise public safety and functionality, while remaining consistent with the material palette used at other memorials. It noted discrepancies between the materials listed in the proposal and those shown in the rendered visuals.To address these concerns, DUAC asked for a detailed material palette sheet with complete specifications and directed the project team to prepare a comparative presentation distinguishing existing site conditions from proposed interventions.Concluding that the plan “lacks coherence” in its present form, the commission asked for a revised conceptual-stage proposal accompanied by point-by-point responses to all the observations before the memorial can be considered for approval.
