Delhi heritage walks will begin on October 24 under a new six-month partnership between the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), giving residents guided access to historic structures, architectural landmarks and natural landscapes across the capital.
The programme will include 12 walks at six locations: Sanjay Van, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Sultan Garhi, Tughlaqabad, Deer Park-Hauz Khas and the Northern Ridge. The walks will be held twice a month, with each session limited to 40 participants.
The first walk is scheduled at Mehrauli Archaeological Park on October 24 at 4pm. Participants will be introduced to the area’s historic structures, architectural features and lesser-known stories connected with Delhi’s past, according to DDA officials.
The fee has been fixed at Rs 500 plus GST per person for each walk. Online registration is available through the DDA portal, although the supplied announcement does not specify the registration deadline or provide details of the individual routes beyond the first location.
Under the memorandum of understanding, INTACH will curate the routes, themes and interpretative content. It will also arrange heritage experts and guides in coordination with the DDA. The authority will facilitate access, permissions and other administrative arrangements for the programme.
The initiative was launched at the direction of lieutenant governor TS Sandhu, officials said. Earlier in October, Sandhu led a heritage walk at Sanjay Van and launched the digital booklet Exploring the Delhi Ridge: Reviving the Heritage of the Lungs of Delhi. He also directed the DDA to focus on ecological conservation and heritage protection while organising more walks to encourage public engagement with Delhi’s natural and historical assets.
The programme links two categories of urban assets that are often managed through separate administrative priorities: built heritage and ecological landscapes. Sanjay Van, the Northern Ridge and Deer Park are natural or green spaces, while Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Sultan Garhi and Tughlaqabad contain significant historical and architectural remains. The partnership places interpretation and public access within a coordinated programme involving a development authority and a heritage organisation.
Officials said the walks are aligned with the Master Plan for Delhi 2047, which emphasises heritage conservation alongside planned and sustainable urban development. The plan also encourages heritage trails and cultural circuits to promote tourism and connect residents with the city’s history.
The DDA had organised Heritage Week earlier this year to increase awareness of Delhi’s cultural and architectural heritage, particularly among students and young people. The new series extends that public-engagement effort into a regular six-month schedule, with the next walks expected to follow the twice-monthly format across the remaining five locations.
