Modi Government Readies for Triangular Parliament, New Home for PM

New Delhi, January 1, 2020:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to get a new residence, and many government buildings, including Shastri Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Rail Bhawan, and Vayu Bhawan, are to be demolished as the government readies the blueprint for its new project to redevelop the national capital.

Reportedly, the changes will also include a triangular Parliament building next to the existing one, which is expected to be completed by 2022.

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The other projects are to be completed by 2024, reported ThePrint. The PM’s residence will move to the southern side of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The present residence-cum-office of the Prime Minister of India was declared the premises by the urban development ministry in May 1990. However, Rajiv Gandhi had made 7, Race Course Road (now Lok Kalyan Marg) his home as PM in 1984.

According to reports, the new Parliament building will be triangular in shape and will be constructed opposite to the current one. The old Parliament House is an iconic structure designed by renowned British architect Herbert Baker in 1931. Other heritage buildings such as the North and South Block will not be redeveloped and will be converted into museums that will showcase India before 1857, and the other after 1857.

The new building will be having a Lok Sabha with a capacity to seat 900-1,000 people, a Rajya Sabha and a common lounge in place of the current Parliament’s Central Hall.

The Vice-President’s residence is set to move next to Rashtrapati Bhavan which is currently located at Maulana Azad Road. Moreover, the Vigyan Bhavan will be demolished and will make way for a modern conference hall.

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As per the redevelopment plans, the demolished buildings will give way to 10 new eight-storeyed government buildings along Rajpath, part of a common central secretariat will house approximately one lakh government employees. The current government buildings at the Central Vista house approximately 35,000 employees.

The outer facade of all the new buildings will remain more or less similar, however, inside, the structures will be mostly steel and glass, and will be equipped with the latest gadgets and modern facilities. All the buildings will also have an atrium with trees planted in the middle. All the new offices are to be connected by an underground metro rail.

All the eight blocks will be shorter in height than India Gate. Currently, the government is shelling out Rs 1,000 crore on rent every year.

A walkway and a cycling path connecting India Gate to the Yamuna is also in the plan. Shuttle buses will also be available on the route.

The housing ministry is also planning a National Biodiversity Arboretum on 75 acres of land behind Rashtrapati Bhavan, which will have collections of plants from different climatic zones of India.

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