Lok Sabha Question No. 1772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-11
Subject: Assessment of Central Vista Redevelopment Project
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

O.I.H.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1772

TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 11, 2021

ASSESSMENT OF CENTRAL VISTA REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT No. 1772.      SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  Central  Vista  Redevelopment  Project would disfigure Lutyens'  zone of Delhi;
- (b) the rationale behind overriding priority given to it over so many other critical matters that have cropped up during the Covid-19 time; and
- (c) the location and manner in which huge debris of iconic Bhawans/ buildings would be dismantled/ replaced and dealt with?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) &  (b)  No.  The  rationale  behind  the  Central  Vista  Development/ Redevelopment Project is as under:

Parliament House building construction was started in 1921 and

Cont...2/-

commissioned  in  1927  and  is  almost  100  years  old.  This  Parliament building  was  designed  to  house  the  Imperial  Legislative  Council  and was not planned for a bicameral legislature. Two floors were added to the  structure  in  1956  to  cater  to  the  demand  for  more  space.  The Library building was also a later addition.

This  building  had  to  be  modified  from  time  to  time  to  a  large extent to suit the purpose of a modern Parliament. New constructions and  modifications  have  been  done  in  an  ad-hoc  manner.  Over  repair and  over  maintenance  has  led  to  poor  condition  of  the  building  and issues of structural safety. Further, over the years, the parliamentary activities and the number of people working therein and visitors have increased manifold. Therefore, it is showing signs of distress and over utilization and is not able to meet the current requirements in terms of space, amenities and technology.

The number of Lok Sabha seats has remained unaltered at 545 based on the delimitation carried out on the basis of 1971 Census. It is likely  to  increase  substantially  after  2026  as  the  freeze  on  total number of seats is only till 2026.The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are packed to capacity and have no space for addition of seats when the Parliament  is  expanded.  Seating  arrangements  are  cramped  and cumbersome; there are no desks beyond second row and movement is extremely constrained. The Central Hall has seating only for about 440 persons.  When Joint Sessions are held a large number of temporary seats have to be arranged in the aisles.  This arrangement undermines challenges  as the dignity of the institution and  poses  security movements are highly restricted.

The offices of the Central Government are spread over different locations  in  Delhi  which  lead  to  inefficiencies  and  difficulty  in  interdepartmental coordination. Also, this leads to higher travel time

Cont...3/- causing traffic congestion and pollution. Further, most of the existing buildings  have  outlived  their  structural  lives  of  around  50  years  and

are not earthquake safe. These buildings suffer from certain construction & service integration deficiencies, inefficient use of land, inadequate  facilities,    outdated  infrastructure  and  lack  of  coherent architectural  identity.  They  lack  modern  office  facilities  and  require regular retrofitting and refurbishment. Further, large number of central government offices are housed in rented accommodations.

The main avenue of Central Vista in New Delhi, which extends from  Rashtrapati  Bhawan  to  India  Gate,  is  one  of  the  most  visited tourist places in Delhi. It is used for Republic Day parade and various other functions which showcase the Capital to the world. However, it lacks basic public facilities,  amenities  and  parking.  The  unorganized vending and haphazard parking leads to congestion and gives a poor public perception. The water bodies and greens require proper upkeep. Therefore, there is a need for its upgradation.

Government of India has, therefore, decided to develop a New Parliament  Building,  Common  Central  Secretariat  and  redevelop  the Central Vista. The objectives of this project are:

-  A new Parliament Building with space and technology to meet the present and emerging needs of vibrant Indian democracy.
-  Common  Central  Secretariat  with  all  Ministries  in  a single location for efficiency and synergy in functioning.
-  Central  Vista  to  be  redeveloped  as  a  world  class public space and venue of events.

The project shall generate direct and indirect employment which will contribute in boosting the economy.

- (c) These are yet to be worked out for entire project. Decisions shall be taken for each part component of the Project, as and when they are approved,  after obtaining all mandatory clearances.

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