The Hindu : New Delhi News : End of the road for a Delhi landmark

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Sunday, Feb 17, 2008
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New Delhi

End of the road for a Delhi landmark

Staff Reporter

Appu Ghar to make way for a section of apex court, Metro station

Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Last days: Visitors enjoying a ride on ‘My Fair Lady’ at Appu Ghar in New Delhi , probably for the last time as this entertainment zone will be shut forever from this Sunday.

NEW DELHI: After Chanakya cinema, it’s time for Delhiites to bid adieu to another local landmark, Appu Ghar, which will be closing down from Sunday to make way for a new section of the Supreme Court and part of the Delhi Metro railway station as ordered by the apex court. Dubbed as the country’s first amusement park, Appu Ghar was inaugurated by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on November 19, 1984, the birthday of his mother Indira Gandhi who had originally suggested the idea of setting up Appu Ghar.

Appu Ghar spokesperson Poonam Behl recalled on Friday: “It was Ms. Gandhi who suggested that the park be named after the mascot of the 1982 Asian Games, Appu, as she wanted India’s children to identify with a typically Indian name.” From 10 rides in 1984, it graduated to boast a total of 24 rides with “My Fair Lady”, “Striking Cars” and “Columbus” being among the most popular ones.

Another milestone in the park’s history was the introduction of a water park, “Oysters”, in 1997.

The park’s closure was well on the cards since the expiry of the land lease between the India Trade Promotion Organisation and the International Amusement Limited in 1999. Once closed, the park area of over 14 acres will be utilised for construction of a Supreme Court library, museum, litigants’ hall as well as parking space. DMRC too would be using a part of the area to expand its station.

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