New DelhiOne hour ago
The cost of building the country’s new Parliament building has increased by almost 29% to Rs 1,250 crore. Earlier it was to be made for Rs 971 crore. That is, there has been an increase of Rs 229 crore in expenditure. The reason for the increase in expenditure is additional work, changes in the construction plan and compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court. This claim has been made in some media reports.
According to the report, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has sought in-principle approval from the Lok Sabha Secretariat for the revised estimated cost. CPWD recently presented the project’s cost details and work-in-progress details to a five-member panel. This panel has been constituted by the government to oversee all the work under the Mega Central Vista Redevelopment Project.
40% project completed, October 2022 deadline
The work of the new Parliament building has been given to Tata for Rs 971 crore and 40% of the project has been completed. The government has fixed October 2022 for the completion of this project. The government wants the winter session to be held in the new building. Despite the changes in the additional work and construction plan, there has been no change in the deadline for the completion of the project.
New building being built on 13 acres
The proposed four-storey building is coming up on 13 acres. It is just a short distance from Rashtrapati Bhavan. The project was earlier expected to be completed before the 75th Independence Day. Later the deadline was moved to October. Under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, a new triangular Parliament House, Prime Minister’s House, PMO, Vice Presidential House, a common Central Secretariat and the corridor from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate are being renovated.
Why is the new building being built?
The present Parliament House was built 95 years ago in 1927. In March 2020, the government told Parliament that the old building was over-utilised and was deteriorating. Along with this, the seats which will increase after the fresh delimitation of Lok Sabha seats, there is not enough space in the old building for the sitting of their MPs. For this reason a new building is being built.
Features of the new parliament
- At present, the Lok Sabha has a seating capacity of 590 people. The new Lok Sabha will have 888 seats and the visitors’ gallery will have seating for more than 336 people.
- At present, the Rajya Sabha has a sitting capacity of 280. The new Rajya Sabha will have 384 seats and the visitors’ gallery will seat more than 336 people.
- There will be so much space in the Lok Sabha that during the joint session of both the houses, more than 1272 MPs can sit together in the Lok Sabha itself.
- There will be separate offices for each important work of Parliament. Hi-tech office facility will be there for officers and employees.
- The cafe and dining area will also be hi-tech. Different rooms of the committee meeting will be made with hi-tech equipment.
- There will also be arrangements for common rooms, lounge for women and VIP lounge.
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