Defence minister Rajnath Singh, chief of defence staff General Bipin Rawat, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and Army chief General MM Naravane were also present at the event.

 

The Prime Minister also launched the Central vista website at Thursday's programme.

 

The new Defence Offices Complexes will accommodate around 7,000 officials from the defence ministry and the Armed forces. The buildings will provide modern, secure and functional working spaces. An Integrated Command and Control Centre has been established for managing building operations, while also catering to the end to end safety and surveillance of both the buildings.

 

PM speaks on 'New India', Central Vista

 

Today Delhi is progressing in line with 'New India' vision. These new Defence office complexes will now make it feasible for our armies to operate in better working conditions with all modern amenities," the Prime Minister said at the event.

Slamming at people who has opposed the Central Vista project, PM Modi said: "Today the world is witnessing the magnanimous Central Vista that has been established on the pedestals of modern technology and facilities to enhance the quality of work for the Army officials working 24X7."

He also said that the Central Vista, whilst introducing modern technology, will also safeguard the environment and the cultural heritage of Delhi.

"Today, when the country is focusing on 'ease of living' and 'ease of doing business', modern infrastructure plays an essential role. This is the spirit at the core of Central Vista projects," the PM said.

"Modern defence offices will go a long way in effectively carrying work related to nation's security," he added. 

 

Modi on pre-Independence era hutments

 

The officers and other staffers of the Defence Ministry and the armed forces are moving into the new office complexes from their existing workplaces in pre-Independence era hutments in and around the Raisina Hills. 

In his address, Modi said those who were opposed to the Central Vista project were never bothered to find out how the armed forces personnel were working in those hutments. 

"When we talk about the capital, it is not just a city. The capital of any country is a symbol of the thinking, determination, strength and culture of that country," Modi said. 

"India is the mother of democracy. Therefore, the capital of India should be such that its central focus should be people," he said. 

The new Defence Office Complexes are state-of-the-art and energy-efficient, with comprehensive security management measures. One of the defining features of these buildings is the use of new and sustainable construction technology called 'light gauge steel frame', which reduced construction time from 24-30 months in the case of conventional RCC construction. The buildings utilize resource-efficient green technology and promote environment-friendly practices. 

Modi also said that he was confident that work on the new Parliament building will be completed on time. 

Fourteen offices are being relocated to the KG Marg complex having a built-up area of 4.52 lakh sq feet while 13 offices are being relocated to the Africa Avenue building that has a total built-up area of 5.08 lakh sq feet, officials said.