1. Public Health has been a priority of the government which is exemplified in Union Budget 2020-21, where there was a 137% increase from previous year’s budget estimate in allocation for public healthcare and well-being expenditure from ₹94,000 crore to ₹ 2.23 lakh crore. ₹ 35,000 crore of the annual allocation has been allocated as a one-time grant towards COVID-19 vaccination, significantly more than the cost of the Central Vista redevelopment project. Thus, the one-time amount for vaccination for FY 2021-22 is 175% more than the total budget for the Central Vista project, which is expected to be completed by 2026.

2. At this point, delaying the construction does not mean that all funds for the project will be diverted to other items as mentioned. Further, stopping the work at this stage will entail creating liabilities for the Government under the existing contracts and the workers’ interest in terms of their livelihoods will be adversely impacted. Also, if the project has to be completed at a later date, with... Read More

1. The present Parliament House is a colonial-era building that was designed as the ‘Council House’ and completed in 1927. When India became independent, it was converted to serve as Parliament House. The present building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature for a full-fledged democracy.

2. In accordance with various Constitutional Amendment Acts, the present strength of the Lok Sabha has remained frozen since 1976 at 552. This means that, today, each Member of Parliament represents, on average, 25 lac citizens. This number is very high in comparison to what it was at the time of independence – approximately 5 lacs – and in comparison to other democracies of the world... Read More

Environmental sustainability is at the core of the Central Vista project, with a comprehensive plan to use centralised systems and infrastructure, promote the use of public transport and have upgradeable technology, systems and services.

1. The projects will result in overall increase in green cover. No trees will be cut in any projects in Central Vista. Trees will be transplanted in Eco-Park being developed by NTPC at Badarpur after due permissions from competent authorities.

2. Strict measures are also being undertaken simultaneously to minimise environmental effects of the Central Vista project, during the construction phase. Steps are being taken to minimise on-site air emissions, noise, wastewater discharge, soil erosion as well as construction waste... Read More

1. None of the listed Heritage Buildings in Central Vista (India Gate, Parliament, North & South Blocks, National Archives or any other) will be demolished.

2. While these heritage buildings retain their architectural majesty, they are under severe stress and in need of comprehensive upgradation. Therefore, the heritage buildings that fall under the scope of the Central Vista development/redevelopment project will be appropriately retrofitted, as per Heritage Conservation standards, and refurbished for their future use.

3. All the works planned on Central Vista are designed to be mindful of the Vista’s original layout, its geometries and its architectural character. Additionally, the building of a new Parliament, the moving out of administrative... Read More

The planning and implementation of the Central Vista project has been following all the relevant procedures, required at every stage of the project. Some of the key steps undertaken, have been provided below.

Process followed for selection of architectural consultants for the project

1. The Central Public Works department advertised a notice inviting Design and Planning Firms for Consultancy Services for comprehensive Architectural and Engineering planning for the “Development/Redevelopment of Parliament Building, Common Central Secretariat and Central Vista at New Delhi” on 2 September 2019.

2. The tender was in the form of a two-stage online bid system, and the selection of consultants was based on a combined Quality and Cost Based(QCBS) method.
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1. Additional public and green spaces shall be added in Central Vista Avenue. The National Museum, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Central Vista Avenue, India Gate, its plaza and lawns shall be accessible to the public as well.

2. Around 80,000 sqm (usable display area) of government space in North & South Blocks will open as public space due to their conversion to National Museums. Additionally, over 2.25 hectares of public and semi-public land currently being used by the Government shall be converted into green spaces.

3. In lieu of conversion of district park/green land to Government use of about 28.5-acre, 18.14 acre of government use land has been converted or being converted into district park within Zone-D (Central Vista area) and balance 10.4 acre land from Government/residential use have been or being converted into district park in adjoining Zone-C

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1. The estimate of ₹ 13,450 crore was mentioned as a gross rough estimate of construction of all buildings in the application for environmental clearance to MoEF&CC. This includes multiple projects, including 10 buildings of the Common Central Secretariat, Executive Enclave, Central Conference Centre and the official residence for Hon’ble VP and Hon’ble PM of India. These have not been approved yet.

2. The construction work for the Hon’ble PM residence has not yet been tendered and no sanction has been accorded by the Government. As of now, only application for Environmental Clearance have been submitted to MoEF&CC and EC has been granted after due process.

3. The cost for the PM’s residential complex has been mischievously exaggerated in media. It is part of many projects, as mentioned earlier, whose neither the design has been approved nor the cost estimate or tendered cost has been firmed up.

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Public consultation is a key part of any project and the processes for such consultation have been laid down in the respective statutes. Prescribed public consultation requirements have been scrupulously observed for all approvals.

1. 10 petitions/SLPs were filed by many persons, including Lt Col. Anuj Srivastava in Hon’ble Delhi High Court and finally Hon’ble Supreme Court. Hon’ble Supreme Court heard the matter for almost 8 months and after 28 hearings, the Apex Court finally decided the matter on 05.01.2021 by delivering 604-page judgement dealing with all aspects and issues raised by petitioners. Hon’ble Supreme Court held that wherever there were statutory requirements of inviting public objections, Public consultation and hearings, the same have been followed. Approvals granted by various statutory authorities and respective local government bodies have been granted, following the due process.

1. No provision of ‘Essential Service Act’ was invoked for the project. DDMA imposed curfew in view of second wave pandemic Covid-19 initially from 19.04.2021 to 26.04.2021, which was subsequently extended up to 02.05.2021. As per DDMA order dated 19.04.2021 construction works were allowed only with labour residing at site. CPWD requested Delhi Police to grant permission for movement of vehicles of contractor for transportation of material and labour from labour camp to site during the curfew period 19.04.2021 to 30.04.2021, in view of strict timelines of the project completion. Delhi Police granted the permission on 19.04.2021.

2. Meanwhile adequate and Covid-19 compliant arrangements were established at site and construction workers were shifted to site before 30th April 2021.

1. Considering economic revival as a key priority in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction of a new Parliament building at tendered cost of around ₹862 crores and redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue at tendered cost of around ₹ 477 crores will contribute towards infrastructure and real estate development of the central administrative area of New Delhi.

2. The construction of the new Parliament building and redevelopment of Central Vista will attract modern technology and generate employment opportunities for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers. In addition, it will lead to substantial employment in manufacturing and transportation of cement, steel and other building materials. In sum, the sheer magnitude of the renovation and modernisation will contribute towards economic revitalisation across the entire construction value chain.