DTTDC-Unlocking Delhi’s Tourism Potential

A large part of the success of Delhi as a tourist destination can be ascribed to the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Ltd. (DTTDC), which was established in 1975 to promote tourism and provide transportation services in Delhi. Today, DTTDC operates several tourism-related services like city sightseeing tours , long duration package tours and heritage walks. It also operates a number of projects like the flagship Dilli Haats, interesting initiatives which includes a mobile tourist app and an e-film clearance portal to make Delhi as a friendly destination for film shoots. It has also recently started a new initiative called The Haunted Walks which have generated a massive response.

DELHI TOURISM’S PATHBREAKING PROJECTS

DTTDC’s most well-known project is Dilli Haat, located at INA, Pitampura and Janakpuri. This permanent open-air market styled on traditional bazaars showcases handicraft items and regional delicacies from across India.

The Kalam Memorial at Dilli Haat INA is dedicated to the former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The Memorial consists of a statue of Dr Kalam along with a display of his personal belongings, besides a multimedia display that showcases his life and contributions.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial, a 24-metre-high obelisk with petals at the base,is a fitting tribute to one of the most revered Sikh gurus.

DTTDC’s Soft Adventure Park at Sanjay Lake, Mayur Vihar, offers adventure activities like treetop bridge, Burma bridge, archery, bull ride, rain dance, jungle house, darts, bowling, kid zone, boating & floating jetties, restaurants, etc.

The Garden of Five Senses is a public park located in the Said-ul-Ajaib area of South Delhi. Spread across 20 acres, the garden is designed to stimulate all five senses and is a paradise for nature lovers.

Located in the Tikri Kalan area, Azad Hind Gram is a memorial and museum complex honouring the great freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The Coffee Home at Baba Kharak Singh Marg in Connaught Place is operated by DTTDC and is a must-visit place for its South Indian delicacies.

Delhi’s iconic Signature Bridge is India’s first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge. Delhi’s tallest structure with a 154-metre-high viewing box, it has been transformed into a tourism hub. The viewing box is a popular spot for selfies and offers panoramic views of Delhi.

DTTDC also organises a number of fairs and festivals to promote tourism in Delhi. These include Garden Tourism Festival, Mango Festival, Sharbat Mela, Itr Mela, Magic Festival, Food Festival, and so on.

DEKHO MERI DILLI APP

With the aim of promoting tourism in Delhi, the Government of Delhi launched the ‘Dekho Meri Dilli’ PitampuraApp on World Tourism Day in 2021. This pioneering mobile App provides users with all the necessary details about popular tourist destinations, hotels, restaurants, food joints and heritage sites in Delhi. Since its launch, the App has proved to be a game-changer and has achieved a lot in promoting tourism in Delhi.

A unique feature of the Dekho Meri Dilli App is that it allows users to browse through monuments, eating joints, entertainment and recreation sites, as well as public conveniences, within a five-kilometre radius of their location. Not only is the App useful for tourists, it is great for anyone wishing to explore India’s capital, including the citizens of Delhi who wish to know their city better. Entry tickets to various heritage monuments are also available on the App with a single click. The first of its kind App in India, Dekho Meri Dilli puts India’s capital in the league of a select set of world cities to have such an App.

One of the most popular features of the App is its food section, which provides a guide to the best food joints in the city. Additionally, the App has a shopping section that provides information on the best shopping destinations in the city, including markets, malls, and boutiques.

E-FILM CLEARANCE PORTAL

Delhi Tourism has a dedicated Film Shooting Promotion Cell (FSPC) to facilitate clearances for shootings in the city. An e-Film Clearance Portal was launched on 13th May 2022 to simplify the process of obtaining permissions for shooting films, TV shows, and other audio-visual productions in the city through a seamless, single-window process. Delhi Tourism is the nodal agency for film shooting facilitation in Delhi. Its e-Film Clearance Portal brings all concerned location stakeholder departments under one roof. This robust online system has made the process of getting filming permission extremely easy besides providing permissions in a time-bound manner. Film shooting permissions cover feature films, commercials, TV serials, travelogues, web series, documentaries, short films, music albums, corporate films, and so on, to be shot in locations, area and facilities owned by State, Central Government departments and other institutions/agencies. Delhi Tourism is also working towards branding Delhi as a national and international film shooting destination.

HERITAGE WALKS

A unique way of experiencing the heritage of any area is to walk through the route with the help of a good interpreter. Delhi is city where the old and modern blend seamlessly together. Therefore the circuits for Heritage Walks have been organized both for New Delhi and Old Delhi areas.

The Heritage walks conducted by DTTDC are :-

1. Walk of Hauz Khas monument 2. Dekho Apna C.P. 3. Dilli ka Dil Dekho 4. Heritage walk of Shahjahanabad 5. Food walk (Old Delhi) 6. Walk of Qutub Minar and Mehrauli Archeological Park

HAUNTED WALKS

Delhi Tourism has just launched Haunted Heritage Walks, offering a thrilling glimpse of the supernatural side of the city. The first walk is to the enigmatic Malcha Mahal, a former hunting—or should we say haunted—lodge nestled amidst the lush forests of the Delhi Ridge. The abandoned lodge is rumoured to be haunted by the spirits of the exiled princesses, Begum Wilayat Mahal and Princess Sakina Mahal. Delhi Tourism also has plans to introduce similar walks in places like Bhooli Bhatiyari ka Mahal, Ferozeshah Kotla and Tughlaqabad Fort. According to folklore, the ruins of inthe medieval fortress of Ferozeshah Kotla are said to be haunted by mischievous spirits called Djinns.

REGULAR TOURS

DTTDC conducts several day tours both within the city as well as in areas near the citySome of the Regular tours are:-

– Delhi Local Sightseeing Half Day & Full Day Tours – Same Day Agra Tour – Agra Jaipur Tour – Delhi by Evening Tour – Agra-Mathura-Vrindavan- Fatehpur Sikri

Overnight Tour: Haridwar –Rishikes

LTC/Holiday Tour Packages: Explore Rajasthan (09 Days), Jaipur-Udaipur (05 Days), Haridwar – Rishikesh- Mussorie (04 Days), Manali (05 Days), Delhi-Nainital-Mukteshwar-Delhi (03 Days), Badrinath (05 Days), Kedarnath-Badrinath (08 days), Delhi-Amritsar-Atari-Delhi (03 Days), Delhi-Jhansi-Gwalior-Delhi (04 Days).

With this slew of initiatives, like walks, tours and the tourist friendly Dekho Meri Dilli App, DTTDC has succeeded in making Delhi an attractive and convenient destination for visitors. Thanks to DTTDC’s efforts, Delhi is a world class holiday destination today.

For bookings please contact DTTDC’s central reservation office 011-23363607, 011-23365358Email: tourism@delhitourism.gov.in; Website: delhitourism.gov.inthe

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