Locomotoring

Coronation Park

When the decision to shift the nation’s capital from Kolkata to Delhi took place, this spot was proclaimed to be the site for viceroy’s residence. George V’s coronation as the emperor of India was commemorated here. Then the story of neglect began. The site was deemed unsuitable and the residence of Viceroy was eventually built at the site of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The park reminds me of my school park – large, open, not very shaded, spottily grassy. But that is where the similarity ends. At dawn, no groups of people gather about for a yoga class or a laughing club session. At dusk, young lovers don’t come here in search of intimacy.  Grandpas don’t come here for their evening constitutionals. There is no chaiwala or any one else selling snacks. Really, nothing is happening here. There appears to be a single caretaker who lives with his family, he may very well be self proclaimed one. He doesn’t seem to be doing anything either.

Caretaker's family

It has been described by some as a junkyard of Raj-era statues—of King George V and other eminent Britishers—most of them we have forgotten and sure don’t care much about. To an amateur, they looks as if built after roman fashion. There is nothing human about these statues. It is possible they would have looked grand in a different place. But not here. They don’t look neglected either, just utterly out of place. Maybe a Bollywood movie maker will shoot a murder scene here someday and awaken us from our forgetfulness.

Travel Note: Coronation Park is located at Burari road near Nirankari Sarovar. Any autorickshaw from Kingsway Camp should be able to bring you here. There is no fee to get in. Don’t come expecting an adventure. You are likelier to find a sense of bizarre.