A first: Digital Art Gallery on KGP Expressway in Sonepat

BS Malik

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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set a Digital Art Gallery at the toll plaza on the Kundli-Gaziabad-Palwal (KGP) Expressway, also called the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, near Jakholi village in Sonepat district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on May 27. 

The idea to set up the gallery below the ground was conceptualised for holistic appreciation of the highlights of the project, the challenges, the learning and to compliment the aesthetic and recreational aspects of the toll plaza area. No importance was given to the gallery at the start of the project that was to be completed in a strict timeline. 

The idea to develop the art gallery arose as the KGP Expressway project was nearing completion. First, it was to be developed like other art galleries to display the pictures of various activities undertaken during the expressway construction and some physical models. Then the idea of some holographic models occurred. 

Asheesh Kumar Jain, Project Director of the NHAI, came in contact with some experts in the field and Virendra from M/S Focus Animation Studio assured him of doing the job. As the art gallery was to be 120 metre in length and 7 metre in width, it was finally decided to have a totally digital art gallery where only digital displays will be installed. The models of important features of the project will only be holographic. If light goes off, the walls will be look plain without any depiction. It was decided to display eight holographic models of various important structures. The videos are displayed near each model, depicting its construction stages. 

On the other wall, many things such as drip irrigation, solar power system, no entry to overloaded vehicles, learning from failures, materials, manpower and machinery deployed etc., have been shown digitally. Even photographs in digitally made frames are depicted. To make the digital art gallery more beautiful, vertical gardens have been developed at its entry. A highway nest with the facility of eating joints and toilets etc have also been developed in the area. 

There are 32 displays in the art gallery showing various stages of the KGP Expressway construction. These include eight holographic models of important structures. The failures and lessons learnt during the project are also displayed. This will be beneficial for students and professionals working in the field. 

The models of 36 famous monuments depicting India’s rich culture and heritage such as India Gate, Gateway of India and Ashoka Pillar have been set up in the art gallery. As many as 18 displays have been prepared in the gallery containing all information regarding the construction of the highway. The Prime Minister congratulated the NHAI and engineers, officers, employees and workers engaged in the construction of the highway for their outstanding work.   

According to the project Director, detailed information about the journey right from the beginning of the construction of the KGP Expressway till its completion has been shown in the gallery using the 3D technique. These include acquisition of land for the expressway, redressing grievances of farmers, beginning of groundwork on the expressway, strategy for the timely completion of work, technique used in the construction work, use of solar energy, plantation and benefits of the expressway to people of Delhi and other areas. 

He says the gallery will be opened for visitors in near future as some works, including lighting, are yet to be completed. “We have not yet decided the ticket amount for entry to the gallery,” he adds. The art gallery will be a good learning point for engineering students. It is first of its kind in the country as well as in the world, he claims. 

Rajindera Kumar Anayath, Vice-Chancellor of DCR University of Science and Technology, Murthal, says that this gallery is equipped with the latest technical, safety and environmental features as well as the aesthetics aspects of the expressway. The visits of students, engineering students particularly, to the gallery will be helpful.