Groundbreaking for the new parliament today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend: 10 points

Construction is expected to be completed in time for India’s 75th Independence Day in August 2022.

New Delhi:
The symbolic building of the new parliament building in Central Vista will start tomorrow, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the opening ceremony in the heart of Delhi near the India Gate. However, actual construction cannot begin immediately, with a petition challenging the project pending in the Supreme Court. The new parliament building is the linchpin of the 20,000 rupee Central Vista project, which aims to build and restore government buildings on part of the 13.4 km Rajpath that runs from the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential palace to the iconic monument to the fallen at India Gate. .

1. The ceremony will begin at 12:55 pm, bhoomi poojan and the laying of the first stone will take place at 1 pm. The Prime Minister will address the town at 2:15 pm.

2. The proposed four-story building would expand over an area of ​​64,500 square meters and cost approximately Rs 971 crore. Construction is expected to be completed in time for the country’s 75th Independence Day in August 2022.

3. The proposed building in Central Vista will accommodate 888 members in the Lok Sabha Chamber with the option to increase to 1,224 members during joint sessions. The Rajya Sabha chamber will have a capacity of 384 members. The capacity increase has been made with a view to the future. At present, the Lok Sabha has an authorized force of 543 members and the Rajya Sabha 245.

4. Each Member of Parliament will have 40 square meters of office space in the refurbished Shram Shakti Bhawan, which will be completed in 2024. The new building will also showcase the country’s glorious heritage, with contributions from artisans and sculptors from across the country.

5. The need for a new parliament building was felt in view of the limitations of the current one, which was built in British times. With the depth, scope, and complexity of legislative and parliamentary work increasing over the years, many members have expressed the need for modern, high-tech facilities.

6. However, the existing building cannot be improved to accommodate modern communications, security, and earthquake safety without causing damage to the 93-year-old structure. It will be preserved as it is an archaeological asset of the country, said Lok Sabha spokesman Om Birla.

7. The current House of Parliament was inaugurated on January 18, 1927 after six years of construction. The giant circular building with its 144 sandstone columns was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens, who also designed the heart of Delhi, from the government headquarters in the North Block to the iconic Connaught Place.

8. Last week, the Supreme Court had detained the government, accusing it of “aggressively pushing” the project pending a decision on the matter. “The first stone can be laid, the paperwork can be carried out, but without construction or demolition, without cutting down trees,” the court had said.

9. The Central Vista project will be aligned along Rajpath, the 13.4 km road lined with parks on both sides that runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the Gateway of India.

10. At the end, on the banks of the Yamuna, will be located the Nav Bharat Udyan, a 20-acre park with an iconic structure and infotainment facilities that will showcase the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage and scientific achievements. It will symbolize the unity of the country in the diversity and aspirations of New India, the government said.