DUAC Approves Revised Plan for Pranab Mukherjee Samadhi at Rajghat
The Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) has approved a revised proposal for the construction of a samadhi dedicated to former President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rajghat Samadhi Complex in New Delhi, clearing the project after it was earlier held back over design-related concerns.
The proposal, prepared and submitted by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), was reconsidered by DUAC at the formal stage after the project architect responded to earlier observations and queries raised by the commission.
Mukherjee, who passed away in August 2020, served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017. He is proposed to be commemorated at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, which functions as the designated common memorial site for deceased presidents, vice-presidents, and prime ministers of India situated within the larger Rajghat complex.
The proposal was first taken up and considered by DUAC during a meeting on May 14, 2026. During that review, the commission raised specific observations regarding the layout and architectural elements, asking the architect to address the concerns before the plan could be taken up for further evaluation.
One of the main design issues flagged by DUAC involved a plan to install a photograph of Mukherjee on a granite platform. The commission observed that the existing samadhis in the memorial complex do not feature photographs.
DUAC cautioned against introducing such an element, noting that it could affect the sanctity and contextual character of the larger memorial landscape. Following the architect's response to these observations, the revised plan received formal clearance from the commission.
