Expansion of Visitor Facilities at the IIAS; Squash Court Being Converted into a Picture Gallery
Kitchen Wing to Open Soon
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla, has initiated several new measures aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and improving public access to its heritage infrastructure.
Significant steps have been undertaken to preserve the Institute’s historic assets while making them more accessible to the general public.
The historic British-era Squash Court is being transformed into a modern Picture Gallery, where photographs and curated exhibits related to the Institute’s history, architectural legacy, academic activities, and major milestones will be systematically displayed. The gallery is expected to serve as an engaging medium for acquainting visitors with the rich heritage and intellectual traditions of the Institute.
In addition, the Kitchen Wing area of the campus will soon be made accessible to visitors. This initiative will provide an opportunity to explore another important segment of the Institute’s architectural heritage.
The Institute’s back lawn, which had been closed two years ago due to a landslide as a safety precaution, has now been reopened following necessary restoration and structural reinforcement. Visitors will once again be able to enjoy the scenic beauty and historic ambience of this part of the campus.
The Institute has also streamlined its ticketing structure to make it more transparent and inclusive. Under the revised policy:
• Students up to Class XII from Government schools will be granted free entry, subject to verification of relevant documents.
• Serving personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Central Para-Military Forces, along with their dependents, will be provided free entry, subject to verification of relevant documents.
• Children up to 5 years of age will not be charged any entry fee.
These initiatives aim to encourage greater participation of students, members of the armed forces and their families, and the wider public in engaging with the Institute’s historical and intellectual heritage.
Under the leadership of the Director, Professor Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, the Institute has launched multiple initiatives to enhance facilities for tourists and visitors. As part of these efforts, the “Sunset View Café” has been opened within the campus, offering visitors a serene space to relax and enjoy the captivating vistas of Shimla. The café serves as both a rest point and a cultural space, allowing guests to experience the harmonious blend of natural beauty and heritage that the Institute represents.
In another significant step, the Institute is acquiring battery-operated golf cart to ferry visitors from Gorkha Gate to the ticket booking counter. This facility will particularly benefit senior citizens, differently-abled visitors, and families with young children, while also promoting environmental sustainability.
Further expanding its infrastructure, the Institute has constructed a state-of-the-art Conference Hall at the Siddharth Vihar Guest House. Equipped with modern audio-visual systems and advanced technical facilities, the hall will be available on a prescribed fee basis to academic, PSUs and Corporate organizations for hosting events and programmes in accordance with institutional guidelines.
Considering the enhanced facilities and improved services, the Institute has also undertaken a nominal revision of ticket and parking charges.
These initiatives are expected not only to enhance the visitor experience but also to strengthen the outreach of the Institute’s historical, cultural, and academic legacy.
