No drastic change in Delhi Master Plan for Central Vista project

Mar 05,2020

No drastic change in Delhi Master Plan for Central Vista project

The Government has not made any drastic change in Delhi Master Plan 2020-21. This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the  Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Mr Hardeep Singh Puri, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.

The Minister also said that the detailed design and drawings Central Vista redevelopment project are under preparation and the detailed cost estimates would be worked out once the drawings are finalized.

Parliament House building construction was started in 1921 and commissioned in 1927. Over the years, the parliamentary activities and the number of people working therein and visitors have increased manifold. Hence, the building is showing signs of distress and over utilization. Further, with the reorganization of constituencies, the number of Lok Sabha seats is likely to go up and the present building does not have any space to house any additional member. Further, additional office space in the newly constructed Annexe and Library Building is insufficient to meet the requirements.

Central Secretariat, at present, is spread over 47 buildings in Delhi, housing various Ministries, Departments, Attached and Subordinate Offices etc. There are more than 30 buildings/ plots in the Central Vista.

There is shortage of working spaces, parking, amenities and services in the existing Central Government offices in the Central Vista. Further, recurring cost in modernization and retrofitting / refurbishing the existing spaces and infrastructures is a constant burden on the exchequer. As per the Non-Availability Certificate (NACs) issued by Directorate of Estate, there is a shortfall of about 3.8 Lakh sq.mt of office space in Central Vista which amounts to significant rental cost on hired spaces for Central Government offices. The spread of Central Government Ministries and Departments in different locations leads to inefficiencies and difficulty in coordination.

According to the government existing Parliament building shall be utilized for various works related to Parliamentary functions, once it is structurally rehabilitated and renovated.