Pragati Maidan, an iconic destination for Delhiites since 1972 and a popular venue for the annual trade fair and exhibitions through the years, is finally set to get an Rs 2,254-crore makeover in keeping with the changed profile of the Capital city. The Union Government has decided to set up a world-class Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) at Pragati Maidan.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), a Mini Ratna Category-1 Company under the Department of Commerce, for redevelopment of Pragati Maidan. Present facilities are far short of international standards. According to sources, G-20 conference would be held at Pragati Maidan in 2020. That is the reason the Government has decided to set up a world-class convention centre, an official said.
In the next few months, many buildings in the 115-acre exhibition ground are likely to be razed to make way for new structures such as a convention hall — five times larger than Vigyan Bhawan — underground parking, new access roads and exhibition halls. A seven star luxury hotel will also come up at the venue.
For execution of this mega project, the ITPO has awarded the work to National Buildings Construction Corporation ltd. (NBCC) as a Project Management Consultant.
As per proposal, the ITPO will utilise Rs 1,200 crore out of its free reserves towards funding of the project. The ITPO will raise institutional loan/soft loan/external aid/land monetisation for the balance amount of Rs 1,054 crore
with Government guarantee for the amount of institutional loan.
The redevelopment of Pragati Maidan is planned in two phases. In phase-I reconstruction will be completed by May 2019, resulting in redevelopment of nearly 3.26 lakh sq.mtrs. After the redevelopment, the exhibition space will be doubled to 1.19 lakh square metre as against 65,000 square metre currently. The redevelopment will also include creation of a state-of-the-art Convention Centre with seating capacity of 8,000 people.
Under Phase II, two underground tunnels — one from Ring Road and another from Mathura Road to Bhairon Marg-will be constructed to give direct access to the motorists to an underground parking lot. The construction of seven star hotel and parking facilities are also the part of the phase II. As per the plan, in addition to the underground parking lot another surface parking facilities will also be set up in the phase-II.
“The redevelopment plan was conceptualised in 2006 but work will finally begin in 2017. lack of space doesn’t allow us to host international fairs at present. After the redevelopment, Pragati Maidan will become a dream destination for global events,” said a source.
“The improvement in access to Pragati Maidan was not part of the original plans though it was felt that once the exhibition ground got a facelift and traffic to the area increased, it would help have two exclusive routes to the venue without disturbing traffic on the main roads,” he said.
As per the plan, in addition to the underground parking lot another surface parking facilities will also be set up. “The underground one will have capacity to accommodate 4,800 cars while the surface parking will be for VIP cars. The cost of the project will be Rs 78 crore. Permissions will be taken from the road owning agency, wherever necessary,” officials said.
A multi-grade separator will also come up at the Mathura Road and Bhairon Road intersection at a cost of Rs 75 crore. This is one area where approval needs to be taken from the Delhi Government, and hence it is not being linked to the main project, said an official. An access will be built from here to the parking lot at a cost of Rs 26 crore and a direct connection will be built between Ring Road and the basement parking for Rs 52 crore, the official said.