NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra modi will lay the foundation stone for the New Parliament building on December 10 with a ‘bhoomi pujan’ for the project to be completed in 2022, coinciding with 75 years of India’s independence, at an estimated cost of more than 970 million rupees .
“The existing temple of democracy is turning 100 … It is a pride for our compatriots that the new one It will be built by our own people as an excellent example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, ”said Lok Sabha President Om Birla, giving details of the proposed building to reporters on Saturday. “The new building will showcase the cultural diversity of the country. Hopefully, in the 75th year of independence (2022), Parliament session it will take place in the new building, ”he said.
The large 4-story building will be modern and will also incorporate regional arts and crafts. At the periphery of the new building reception blocks, information desk and public waiting area will be installed. It will be accessible to people with different abilities. In addition to the main entrance, the triangular structure will have a ceremonial entrance and an exclusive entrance for the Speaker of Lok Sabha and President of Rajya Sabha.
Built on an area of 64,500 square meters, the building will have more space to accommodate 888 MPs in Lok Sabha compared to the current staffing of 543 members, while Rajya Sabha will accommodate 384 seats in front of the current strength of 245. Membership in both Houses is likely to increase after 2026 due to delimitation.
Birla said that Lok Sabha will have the option of increasing the seating capacity to 1,224 for joint sessions and that there will be no Central Hall. He said that artisans and sculptors from across the country would showcase India’s cultural diversity in the new building, making it a symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Birla said that each deputy would be provided with a 40-square-meter office space.
“The current arrangement undermines the dignity of the institution and poses security challenges as movements are severely restricted. The offices within Parliament are quite overcrowded and lack basic services. Facilities such as meeting rooms, press rooms, etc. they are also inadequate and highly stressed, “said a senior official.
The new building has been designed for better facilities, space and technology, which will meet current and future needs. According to the plan, the digital audiovisual system, which will be placed in front of each seat, will have “programmable rule-based microphones”, which will put the Speaker in control of who can speak and who cannot.
The existing Parliament building was designed to house the imperial legislative council and was not planned for a bicameral national legislature. Two stories were added to the structure in 1956 due to the demand for more space.
(With Dipak Dash tickets)
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