Scroll down to know all about Strengthening and Refurbishing the Central Vista
The objective of the Central Vista Development/Redevelopment Master Plan is to improve the productivity and efficiency of administration by providing it with highly functional and purpose-designed office infrastructure. Some of the emergent governance benefits shall be as follows:
Combining all 51 Central Government Ministries in 10 Common Central Secretariat buildings will allow for easy movement of personnel, documents and goods, thereby increasing administrative efficiency. The proximity and ease of inter-departmental movement, along with flexible and modular floor plans will enable the government to function in a more efficient and productive manner.
Major increase in office spaces will offset the huge gap in present and future demand and existing availability. It will create modern workspaces with latest technology for better productivity and efficient utilization of human resources. The infrastructure and facilities will be built at par with global standards. The redevelopment project will augment efforts towards sustainable development, with the construction of green buildings and clean transportation. Overall, redevelopment will trigger efficiency and synergy in the Government functioning.
The Prime Minister's Office, Residence and Vice President Residence are proposed to be built near the South Block and North Block respectively, in proximity to the Parliament and Common Central Secretariat, which would help in addressing security and logistic arrangements in a comprehensive manner, without interfering with the regular movement of traffic.
Public spaces shall be improved in the Central Vista, including the National Museum, IGNCA, reformed Kartavya Path, India Gate plaza and lawns, which shall be accessible to the public. Around 80,000 sq. m. of government space in North & South Blocks will open as public space due to their conversion to National Museum complex.
People can reach Kartavya Path through public transport or park their vehicles at the dedicated parking space made available at the site. Further, dedicated spaces for social gatherings in the refurbished avenue will provide opportunity to tourists for leisure and recreation
Environmental Sustainability is at the core of the Central Vista Development/Redevelopment Master Plan, with a comprehensive approach to use centralised systems and infrastructure, promote the use of public transport and have upgradeable technology, systems and services. 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.
The projects will result in an overall increase in green cover. No trees will be cut in any project in the Central Vista. Trees will be transplanted in Eco-Park being developed by NTPC at Badarpur after due permissions from competent authorities. Details of tree transplantation in each project are given below:
New Parliament Building: Permission for transplantation of 404 trees, including 13 Jamun trees, was obtained for New Parliament Building from Forest Department, GNCT of Delhi. These trees have been transplanted in Eco-Park and most of these trees are surviving. Further, 4,040 trees will be planted in Eco-Park, NTPC Badarpur as compensatory plantation.
Kartavya Path: 48 trees are proposed to be transplanted, out of which permission has been granted for 25 trees till date, including 22 Jamun trees. Transplantation of these trees is in progress. No old tree, including Jamun tree, planted as per Lutyen’s original plan is proposed to be transplanted.
The overall green cover within Central Vista area will increase under the Master Plan. It is proposed to transplant 3,230 trees to Eco-Park, NTPC, Badarpur after obtaining EC from MoEF&CC and permission from Forest Department. 1,753 new trees will be planted within the project sites of CCS and other buildings and 2,000 new trees are to be planted within Central Vista area. In nutshell, the Central Vista will have a net gain of 563 trees after all the transplantation/plantation. Further, the entire project shall be undertaken without cutting a single tree.
A total of 40,573 trees will be planted in the city and overall green cover will increase substantially, including 36,820 trees to be planted in Eco-Park, NTPC, Badarpur as compensatory plantation.
Detailed Environment Impact Assessment has been carried out for all the 10 Buildings of CCS, Common Conferencing facility, PMR, PMO and VPR and impact of already approved New Parliament Building as well as Executive Enclave was also taken into account. The same was considered by Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) Infra-II of MoEF&CC and EAC recommended for grant of Environmental Clearance on 02.05.2021.
Some of the key mitigation measures mentioned in the environmental clearance for New Parliament Building are as follows:
During construction phase, total water requirement is expected to be 180 KLD which will be met through treated wastewater (recycling of available sewage) from the existing building or from other authorised sources and 45 KLD will be met by New Delhi Municipal Council supply. During the construction phase, mobile toilets will be provided.
During the operational phase, total water requirement is expected to be 7,818 KLD. Out of this, 5,209 KLD will be recycled water and 2,609 KLD will be freshwater which will be met by NDMC supply. Wastewater generated (3,928 KLD) will be treated in STPs of total 4,100 KLD capacity, 3,535 KLD of treated wastewater will be recycled and re-used for flushing and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) purposes.
Additionally, all construction and demolition waste received from dismantling of existing buildings shall be processed in C&D waste treatment plant and recycled for use in construction.