Are the Newly-launched Delhi Tourism Initiatives at India Gate and Purana Qila Actually Delivering?

Delhi's heritage landscape is experiencing an ambitious transformation. The government, alongside heritage bodies and private partners, has rolled out several flagship initiatives, from a state-wise food court at India Gate to revived boating at Purana Qila. But are these projects genuinely driving tourist engagement and delivering sustainable results? Here's what the ground reality reveals.

In mid-2025, Delhi inaugurated a permanent food court at India Gate, featuring over 10 state-run stalls spread across the North and South wings. The lineup is impressive: Telangana Tourism's Hyderabadi cuisine, Kerala's Cafe Kudumbashree, Assam food counters, Rajasthani specialities, Maharashtra's MTDC stall, and more—all offering dishes starting from Rs. 60.

The concept aimed to replace informal street food culture with a regulated, hygienic dining space that showcases India's culinary diversity. Accessible through an underpass, the food court operates between 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., though evening access can be restricted after 6 p.m. due to police security protocols.

As we arrived on a busy weekend evening, and the food court, being the most accessible food spot was filled with people, it was still not as crowded as we imagined, due to the presence of multiple street food vendors above the underground level where the food court is present and around the whole India Gate premise.

The reality on the ground tells a more subdued story. “It was very good in the initial days. Social media hype helped a lot. But it gradually decreased, and then we even started closing shop in days when staff took leave if there was even a minor blockage (due to rallies) or happenings (referring to festivals) in Delhi,” says a vendor at the Maharashtra stall. “Now you yourself can see half of them are closed or out of business, or have their tenders cancelled, and more such issues. We thought we would gain traction, but all it has caused us is more issues.”

“This is not as I expected,” laments Pankaj Kumar, a visitor from UP who came to visit Delhi and heard about the food court on social media and arrived here. “We had really high expectations, but this is worse than the other diaspora foods I get in our small city in UP. What is the point of then opening this?”

Jamini Chakraborty, a Delhi resident, reflects on the quality. “I imagined this to be a mini Dilli Haat INA, but this is disappointing. The food tastes stale, looks bad, and is not even authentic. Social media hype was there, but of course, nothing can be trusted.” The social media hype has also died now due to consistent poor performance and more than half stores remaining closed. 

Social Media Sensation Is the Newly-Reopened Purana Qila Boating 

Perhaps the most striking success story is the return of boating at Purana Qila after a nine-year hiatus. Officially launched on September 1 this year, following a trial phase by the Sabhyata Foundation and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the response has been remarkable.

The numbers tell the story: weekly footfall has surged from 500-600 visitors to over 2,000, with weekend crowds reaching 3,000—nearly triple pre-boating levels, as per the local authorities and boating guides and personnel. Currently operating 12 paddle boats, with plans to expand to 20, the facility charges Rs. 125-150 per person for a 20-minute ride around the historic moat.

“I knew the hype would be real. I also knew this would be nostalgic and scenic too. I clearly remember how I used to come here with my parents when I was little, and this boat ride still holds that magic. I just hope they keep this up,” says Tanshi Arora, a resident of Faridabad who was head over heels in love and awe of her boating experience.

Ramesh (Ji), a boat guide through our boat ride, said to us, “It has been really beneficial, and profits must be soaring. We have the contract for providing boats and personnel for this year, and already we have done very well. I don’t know the numbers, but the conscious efforts and the wonderful response have made this re-opening all the more special.”

Naresh Ahluwalia, a Delhi resident who had proposed to his wife on one such boat ride decades back, said to us, “There was so much scope for this. I always eagerly wished for it to come back. Rates might have increased, the lake might have become smaller, but the management this time is very disciplined and well-maintained.”

Delhi's new tourism transformation presents a varied picture. The India Gate food court, while conceptually appealing, lacks the transparency and operational vigour needed for measurable success. Meanwhile, Purana Qila boating represents mature, well-executed initiatives that justify their investments through sustained visitor engagement. If Delhi aims to transform heritage sites from static monuments into dynamic leisure destinations, these projects chart a path forward, though not all are travelling at the same speed, and there is, certainly, a lot of scope.