PM Narendra Modi to lay the foundation stone for a new Parliament building on December 10.
The sources said, around five statues, including of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhim Rao Ambedkar, in the Parliament complex are also likely to be relocated temporarily due to the construction work and they will be reinstalled at prominent places within the new complex once the project is completed.
The new building will be constructed close to the existing one under the Central Vista redevelopment project and it is expected to be completed in 21 months from the start of construction work.
As per the information, the new Parliament building will be in a triangular shape. The project also envisions a common central secretariat and renovation of the three-km-long Rajpath (from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate).
The new Parliament building will reportedly have separate offices for each MP and will have the latest digital interfaces as a step towards creating “paperless offices”.
There will be a huge Constitution Hall to exhibit India’s democratic heritage, a library, a lounge for MPs, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and massive parking space.
The iconic 16-feet high statue of Mahatma Gandhi, which is located opposite Gate Number 1 of Parliament House, will be one of the five statues that will be relocated temporarily.
The statue has been the spot of protests, assemblies, and press interactions by MPs. Sculpted by Ram Sutar, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a meditating posture was unveiled by the then President Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma on October 2, 1993. As per the Rajya Sabha’s website, the statue was donated by the Ministry of Urban Development.
Tata Projects Limited had in September won the bid to build a new Parliament building at a cost of Rs 861.90 crore.
As per the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), work will not be halted in the existing Parliament building during the whole period of execution of the project.
Once the construction work is complete, the existing Parliament building will be utilized for other purposes.
“The plinth of the new building shall match that of the existing one, which is approximately 1.8 metres above the ground level,” the CPWD had earlier said.
