Delhi tourist Spot: It’s a visual treat at Purana Qila but poor amenities don’t help

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The new show was supposed to be ready by the 2010 Commonwealth Games but has been stuck in litigation with the agency responsible for producing the art content. Officials claimed the issue is nearly resolved and the show will probably begin by next year.

Even as Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra spoke of the need to expand night tourism in the capital, the two sound and light shows are among the very few options for tourists to visit at night.

The show at Purana Qila draws a paltry crowd of 100 visitors a day — including both the Hindi and English shows. While the Hindi show has a higher turnout, the English show is cancelled on days when less than 10 visitors sign up. To add to this, poor amenities, stinging mosquitoes, wobbly plastic chairs make the experience unsavoury on windless summer evenings.

“The cost of running a show is very high and to play it for less than 10 visitors is not feasible. On some days, the show has to be cancelled because the venue next to the Humayan Darwaza, which forms the background for the projection, is rented out by the Archaeological Survey of India for other programmes. On such occasions, we have to call off the show,” said Anil Kumar Gupta, General Manager, Sound and Light Show, ITDC.

He added, “There are several issues with the show and we have raised these with the ASI. Though the body has been supportive, we are told opening a cafeteria is not possible within the fort premises. We are in the process of signing a contract with a firm that will supply mosquito repellents. These will be handed out to visitors, along with the tickets, most likely from next week,” added Gupta.

Superintending Archaeologist, Delhi Circle, ASI, Daljit Singh said, “There are some rules… we cannot allow a cafeteria to be opened up inside a monument. As for basic amenities, there are two lavatories and two RO water dispensers for visitors.