Government identifies two sites for Manmohan Singh's memorial

The Centre has identified two sites near Rajghat for the memorial of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

The government is likely to propose a part of Ekta Sthal, former President Giani Zail Singh's memorial or Vijay Ghat, which is the memorial of former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. According to sources, the two sites were proposed by the ministry of housing and urban affairs, the nodal ministry for memorials, at a meeting with the home ministry on Thursday.

The two sites will be discussed with the family after the Antim Ardas ceremony for the former prime minister on Friday.


Officials said the family will be offered a tour of the two sites. Government officials felt a part of Ekta Sthal could be more suited as it could house the memorials of both Sikh leaders - India's only Sikh president and prime minister.

The matter of formation of a trust was also discussed. According to sources, officials also discussed that the trust could be constituted by the government with members of Congress party and the family. A source, who did not wish to be identified, told ET, "The trust is a requirement but it can be formed by the government, or the political party or the family. It's not necessary that it needs to be done only by the family." The final site will be allocated after the trust constitution. Officials said the formalities of the trust can be completed in 5-10 days.

Vijay Ghat is near Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi's samadhi. Ekta Sthal is adjacent to Vijay Ghat. In 2015, the government had constructed Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, a common place for all memorials, due to paucity of space for memorials. At present, memorials of prime ministers and presidents occupy 245 acres of prime land in Delhi.