The redevelopment of central vista avenue in New Delhi, where the Republic Day parade is scheduled to be held, has been delayed by a couple of days due to heavy rainfall.

Central Vista Project

• The project aims to renovate and redevelop 86 acres of land in Lutyens’s Delhi.
• In this, the landmark structures of the government, including Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, North Block and South Block, etc. stand.
• This dream project of redeveloping the nation’s administrative heart was announced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs back in September 13, 2019.

This project has three main parts:

1. New parliament building
2. New secretariat complex to bring all the central govt ministries in one place
3. Development of the Rajghat and the area around it

• This project will involve demolition of some non-heritage buildings in the area, and construction of new buildings in place of them.

Why need this Project?

The most significant aspect of the project is the construction of a new parliament building.  There are several reasons for needing a new building.

• Due to increased population, which has almost quadrupled since independence, there is a need to increase the number of Lok Sabha constituencies through delimitation.
• Similarly, the central hall of the parliament, used to hold joint sessions, actually does not have enough seats for the MPs of both houses.
• During joint sessions, temporary chairs are placed on the aisles so that all the members can sit.
• This is certainly not a dignified scene for the parliament of the largest democracy in the world.
• The infrastructure of the parliament was also antiqued, as they were added at various times as and when required.

Due to these reasons, a pressing need was felt to construct a new parliament building.

Significance of the project

• Modernising parliament’s facilities: The new Parliament building will be India’s first purpose-designed parliament, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to meet all needs of an expanded parliament.
• Improving productivity and efficiency: All ministries of the government will be consolidated in one place and will be served by highly energy-efficient and sustainable infrastructure.
• Strengthening cultural and recreational facilities: The National Museum will be relocated and conceptualized to present the rich heritage and achievements of the nation.
• Providing modern and secure infrastructure: A modern, secure, and appropriately equipped executive enclave is proposed to house executive offices and facilities.
• Providing residential facilities for the PM: Modern and secure residential facilities for the vice president and the PM are proposed to the north of North Block and south of South Block respectively.
• Cultural significance: The overall objective of works planned on the Central Vista is to ensure environmental sustainability, restore the vista’s architectural character, protect its heritage buildings, expand and improve public space, and to extend its axis.

Also read about the

New Parliament Building

Back2Basics: Making of New Delhi

• The Central Vista was designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, to house the capital of British India.
• The top of the Raisina Hill and adjacent hills in the area was flattened to create space for the buildings.
• At his coronation as Emperor of India on December 12, 1911, Britain’s King George V had announced the transfer of the seat of the Government from Calcutta to the ancient Capital of Delhi.
• Thereafter, a 20-year-long project to build modern New Delhi was spearheaded by architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker.
• They built Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, North and South Blocks, Rajpath, India Gate, National Archives and the princes’ houses around India Gate.
• Thus, New Delhi was unveiled in 1931.

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