All You Need to Know About the New Parliament Building

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be laying the foundation stone of the new Parliament building on December 10. The new building would be a four-storey structure with a seating capacity of 1,224 and cost Rs 970 crore. It would replace the existing colonial structure which would be completing hundred years in 2021.

Here is a look at the details of the new building:

• It is expected that the structure would be completed by 2022, coinciding with 75 years of India’s independence.

• The theme of the new building would celebrate the cultural diversity of the country. It would also incorporate regional arts and crafts. Artisans and sculptures from across the country would be employed the complete the new structure making it a symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
• On the periphery of the new building, blocks will come up for the reception, information counter and public waiting area. It will be made accessible for the differently-abled. Besides the main entrance, the triangular structure will have a ceremonial entrance and one exclusively for the Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

• The structure would be built on an area of 64,500 sq m. The building will have space to accommodate 888 MPs in Lok Sabha and 384 in Rajya Sabha. The existing building can seat 543 in Lok Sabha and 245 in Rajya Sabha. The expansion has been done keeping in mind the delimitation exercise scheduled to take place in 2026.
• The building will not have the iconic Central Hall present in the existing structure.
• As many as 2000 people would be directly and 9000 would be indirectly involved in the construction of the building.
• The new building will also have a grand Constitution Hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for members of Parliament, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.
• In September this year, Tata Projects Limited won the bid to construct the new parliament building at cost of Rs 861.90 crore. The new building will be constructed close to the existing one under the Central Vista redevelopment project.
• The existing Parliament House building will be suitably retro-fitted to provide more functional spaces for parliamentary events, to ensure its usage along with the new building.
• The existing building is a British era building, designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker who were responsible for planning and construction of New Delhi.
• The Foundation Stone of the existing Parliament House was laid on February 12, 1921, and the construction took six years and cost Rs 83 lakh at that time. The opening ceremony was performed on January 18, 1927, by the then Governor-General of India, Lord Irwin.

Source: TOI