No More Picnics at India Gate as New Rules Enforced
Visitors to Delhi’s India Gate are facing a major shift in experience following the enforcement of new restrictions that ban food, bags, and pets at the historic site. These rules, aimed at preserving the lawn and monument area, have left many tourists frustrated, especially because there are no locker facilities available nearby.
Under the updated visitor guidelines, items such as picnic sheets, luggage, eatables, and animals are strictly prohibited. These measures have effectively ended the popular tradition of family picnics at India Gate — once a staple for both tourists and locals.
With no facility to store belongings, families are now splitting up to visit the site. One group waits outside with the luggage while the other enters. After they return, the roles are reversed. This adjustment has turned what used to be a joyful, shared outing into a disjointed experience.
Several visitors from Prayagraj and Banaras expressed their discontent, stating that authorities should have made arrangements for lockers or temporary storage. “We travel from far to see this monument, but we can’t even go in together as a family,” said one tourist.
Security officials explained that the decision was made to preserve the monument’s aesthetics and protect newly installed landscaping, which had been getting damaged by long stays, food spillage, and spread-out picnic gear.
There is also talk of a potential ban on video filming in the area, though no formal update has been released on that front. Officials have hinted that plans to install locker systems are underway, though no timeline has been confirmed.
Until then, the iconic India Gate may continue to see disappointed faces outside its gates, waiting with luggage in hand as the new rules redefine the visitor experience.
