NEW DELHI: Delhi’s iconic landmark the Hall of Nations situated inside the Pragati Maidan was demolished on Monday.
Officials of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) said that the Hall of Nations and the Hall of Industries have been demolished as a redevelopment plan to make way for a state-of-the-art modern complex.
"The buildings were not categorised as heritage by the Heritage Conservation of Committee (HCC) as those are only 45 -years-old. So, we have demolished those for the new project. Demolition of the Nehru Pavilion is still going on, said an ITPO official.
ITPO is a nodal agency under the aegis of the ministry of commerce and industry for promoting the country's external trade and hosts the famous annual trade fair on its premises. Officials said that setting up of an Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) requires dismantling of Hall No. 1 to 6, 14 to 20, state pavilions and others, including the Hall of Nations, the Nehru Pavilion and the Hall of Industry.
"The layout plan of IECC, which inevitably involves demolition of these structures, has already been approved by statutory authorities concerned, like the Delhi Urban Arts Commission, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and the National Monuments Authority," the official said.