The foundation stone for the new Parliament building is likely to be laid in the first half of December by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Besides, around five statues, including that of Mahatma Gandhi as well as Bhim Rao Ambedkar that are present in the existing Parliament complex, are expected to be temporarily relocated due to the construction work. The construction of the new building is likely to be completed by October 2022. The new Parliament building, which is triangular in its design, will come up at plot number 118 of the Parliament House estate.
According to sources, although December 10 is the proposed date of laying the new Parliament building”s foundation stone, the final date would depend on the PM”s availability.
The relocated statues will be reinstalled at prominent places within the new complex once the project is completed.
Tata Projects Limited (TPL) had won the contract to build a new Parliament building for `861.90 crore in September.
As per the design by HCP, the new Parliament complex will have a total of six entrances: a ceremonial entrance for the PM and the President; a ceremonial entrance in general; one for the Lok Sabha Speaker, one for Rajya Sabha Chairperson, and MPs; another entrance for MPs; as well as two entrances for the public.
As per the plan, the new parliament building will have separate offices for all MPs and as a step towards creating “paperless offices”, it will be equipped with the latest digital interfaces. The new Parliament building is a part of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and central government”s Central Vista Project.
The Central Vista Project helmed jointly by the CPWD and the Centre also included a complete revamp of Rajpath — a 3 km long path between Rashtrapati Bhawan and India Gate. The Modi government had kickstarted the process of bidding while focusing on the need of a new Parliament building earlier this year.