In a major relief for morning walkers, joggers, and fitness enthusiasts, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has announced the waiver of entry fees at its parks and heritage sites until 10 am. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena confirmed on Thursday that no charges will be applied during these hours at various DDA-managed locations.
Parks and Sites Covered
The prominent places included under this initiative are Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Baansera, Asita, Kranti Udhyan, Vatika, Atal Sadbhavana Park, Vasudev Ghat, Vaishnavi Park, Amrut Bio-Diversity Park, Lala Hardayal Park in Jasola, and Smriti Van in Narela. Hundreds of people visit these spots every morning for exercise and recreation.
Alignment with Fit India Movement
The Lieutenant Governor stated that this decision aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to promote the Fit India Movement, encouraging physical activity and a healthy lifestyle among citizens.
Earlier, the DDA had introduced entry fees at certain public parks, such as the 36-acre Sector 16D park in Dwarka and Baansera, starting last year. This move had drawn criticism from morning walkers who frequent these spaces.
DDA's Green Assets
The DDA manages over 16,000 acres of green assets, which include more than 700 parks, biodiversity zones, city forests, regional parks, and neighbourhood gardens across Delhi. The fee waiver is expected to boost morning footfall and promote fitness activities.
