Central Vista Project: Details of the project, what is the project about and everything that you must know!

The Central Vista Development Project is a government's plan for the construction of a new parliament building which will be close to the existing one. The Central government has estimated the cost of the project to be Rs. 889 crores.

The Central Vista Project was proposed by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2019. It envisages the construction of the triangular Parliament Building, common Central Secretariat, and revamping of the 3 km long Rajpath.

The work for the construction of the Central Vista Project is expected to be completed in 21 months. The project also includes the conversion of North and South Blocks into museums and the development of the Central Vista Avenue. 

Tata Groups wins contract for New Parliament Building:

Tata Group has successfully won the new contract for the construction of the new Parliament Building with a bid of Rs. 861.90 crores. The Central Public Works Department had opened the final bid for the construction of the New Parliament Building on September 16, 2020. 

Tata Group submitted the lowest bid of Rs. 861.90 crores, beating Larsen & Toubro whose bid was at Rs. 865 crores. The government has been planning to award the contract to Tata Projects soon and plans that the construction starts after the monsoon session of Parliament ends on October 1, 2020. 

Tata group wins new Parliament building contract, beating Larsen & Toubro

Environmental Ministry Cleared Central Vista Project:

The Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee had cleared central vista’s project for the construction of the new Parliament building in its April 22-24 meeting. The cost of the entire project will be Rs 889 crores.

The Central Vista Committee had also given approval to the new plan that has been opposed by the civil society organisations and the opposition parties. 

The green signal to the mega project was given with the usual conditions such as environmental responsibility and minimal tree cutting. The Supreme Court had earlier refused to stay the Central Vista Development Project.

Key Highlights:

• The decision for the new parliament building has come even as the Special leave petition that is related to the land-use change for the new complex has been pending before the Supreme Court.

• The panel of the Environment Ministry who passed the project has stated that the clearance for the new Parliament building has been subjected to the apex court’s decision.

• The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) clarified that with regards to the cultural, landscape, and other values, the proposed Parliament Building construction will be reviewed and approved by both the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) and Central Vista Committee that has been specifically tasked with this work.

Clarifications by CPWD on the construction of a new parliament building:

• On the observations regarding the necessity for the construction of a new parliament building at the time of an ongoing crisis, CPWD stated that the old parliament building was constructed 93 years ago and is in the requirement for the reconstruction.

• The old parliament building is in need of retrofitting and this can only be done if the building is vacant and that will happen if the new building is constructed.

• CPWD also cleared that the redevelopment of other central vista buildings is different as opposed to the renovation and expansion of the parliament.

• CPWD assured that the construction of the new complex will not lead to air pollution beyond the existing levels.

• Being aware of the heritage value, CPWD stated that aside from protecting its heritage value, the project has been conceived for other practical aspects such as seating and for providing the necessary infrastructure for the use of future generations of Indians.

The cost of the new parliament building:

CPWD justified the project cost from Rs 776 crores to Rs 922 crores because of the project specifications that have been approved. The specific requirements of the end-users such as the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Security agencies, Lok Sabha Secretariats, etc. were added to the plan.

Based on the initial concept plan, Rs 776 crores were indicated to be the tentative cost. After the modified concept plan with the built-up area as 65,000 Sqm, the tentative cost was increased.

Controversy related to Central Vista Project:

The project has been in controversy and has also been a subject of scrutiny for many reasons. The plea was submitted that the project will violate the Delhi Master Plan 2021 that aimed at decentralizing the government offices in the national capital.

There were environment based concerns that highlighted that the project might undertake a large portion of land that has been currently used by the public for recreational purposes.