Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month laid the foundation stone for the new Parliament building in New Delhi. Do you know where it’s going to come up, when it will be completed and what its proposed features are?
The new building will be constructed close to the existing Parliament building in the Parliament House Estate, under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. It is expected to be completed by 2022 in time for the commemoration of the 75th year of India’s Independence. The landmark project, which was announced in 2019, involves constructing a Parliament building, a common central secretariat and revamping of the three-km long stretch from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate known as the Central Vista. According to PM Modi, the Central Vista Project will be “a symbol of a new, self reliant India”.
The triangular-shaped Parliament building is designed by architect Bimal Patel of Ahmedabad-based HCP Design, Planning and Management. Tata Projects Limited won the bid to construct the new Parliament building with an area of 64,500 square metres at an estimated cost of 3971 crore.
Highlights
The new triangular building will have four storeys, and the national emblem will crown the edifice. Its interiors will be inspired by the national flower lotus and the national bird peacock. In the new building, the Lok Sabha chamber will have a seating capacity for 1,224 members, while the Rajya Sabha will have 384 seats. At present, the Lok Sabha has strength of 543 members and Rajya Sabha 245. The new building will also have a Central Constitution Hall to showcase the country’s democratic heritage, a library, committee rooms and dining areas.
The existing circular Parliament House building will be refurbished for use along with the new one. The North and South blocks will be converted into museums.
Why is the revamp needed?
According to the Government, the existing Parliament building built by the British in the 1920s is structurally unsafe. Most of the buildings along the Central Vista have outlived their structural lives. Inadequate infrastructure, lack of safety features and offices spread over different locations are also cited as the reasons for the revamp. It is said that the proposed Secretariat buildings, which will bring all offices in one place, will help improve the functioning of the government.
Criticism against the project
The Central Vista redevelopment project is criticised for having been initiated when the country is reeling under the coronavirus pandemic. Some experts have raised concerns about the project’s environmental impact. Several petitions challenging the project were filed before the Supreme Court. However, the apex court has given the green signal to the project, upholding the environment clearance and permission for change in land use for the project. The government has clarified that it will be sensitive to environmental concerns during construction.
Picture Credit : Google