New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid Thursday the foundation stone of the new Parliament building. The new Parliament building will be equipped with all modern audio visual communication facilities and data network systems. It will be a symbol of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Modi said.
Modi also performed ‘Bhoomi Poojan’ for the construction of the four-storied new Parliament building. It is set to be one of the most magnificent buildings in India. The building would be built in an area of 64,500 square metre at an estimated cost of Rs 971 crore.
The building is to be completed in 2022. It is proposed to hold the Winter Session of Parliament in the new Parliament building when the nation celebrates 75 years of Independence.
Each Member of Parliament (MP) would also be provided with a 40 square metre office space in the redeveloped Shram Shakti Bhawan. The construction for it is slated to be completed by 2024.
The new building has been designed by HCP Design and Management Pvt Ltd Ahmedabad. The construction would be carried out by Tata Projects Ltd, keeping the needs and requirements for the next 100 years in mind.
Special care is being taken to ensure all environmental safeguards are followed, including minimal disturbance to Parliament sessions during construction work.
Changing times have also meant that future needs have to be borne in mind. The building will have a seating capacity for 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber. There will be an option to increase to the capacity to 1,224 members during Joint Sessions. Similarly, the Rajya Sabha Chamber would have a seating capacity for 384 members.
India’s glorious heritage too will find a place in the building. Artisans and sculptors from all over the country would contribute to and showcase India’s cultural diversity in the building.
Describing the laying of foundation stone of the new Parliament building as a ‘milestone in India’s democratic history’, Modi said if the old Parliament house gave direction to the country post-independence, the new one would be a witness to making of a self-reliant India.
“It is a very historic day. Today is a milestone in India’s democratic history,” Modi told the gathering. “We, the people of India, will together build this new building of Parliament. This new building will be an inspiration when India will celebrate its 75 years of independence.
“I can never forget the moment in my life when I had the opportunity to come to Parliament House for the first time in 2014 as an MP. Before stepping in, I bowed and saluted this temple of democracy,” added Modi.
If the old Parliament House gave direction to India post-independence, the new building would be a witness to the creation of a self-reliant India, Modi said.
The proposal for the new Parliament building has been long felt. A number of members had expressed the need for modern and well-equipped facilities. The existing building has many limitations with regard to modern communication, security and earthquake safety requirements.