On 5 January 2021, the Supreme Court allowed the Central Vista Project to go ahead. A three-judge Supreme Court Bench of Justices A. M. Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna pronounced the 2-1 judgment. Justices A. M. Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari formed the majority while Justice Sanjiv Khanna pronounced a separate judgment.
Justices A. M. Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari stated, " We feel constrained to note that the petitioners enthusiastically called upon us to venture into the territories that are way beyond the contemplated powers of a constitutional court. We are compelled to wonder if we, in the absence of a legal mandate, can dictate the government to desist from spending money on one project and instead use if for something else."
They further stated, "We are equally compelled to wonder if we can jump to put a full stop on the execution of policy matters in the first instance without a demonstration of irreparable loss or urgent necessity, or if we can guide the government on moral or ethical matters without any legal basis."
Justice Sanjiv Khanna pronounced a separate judgement. He stated, "The Central Government could not have notified the modified land-use changes, without following the procedure and without prior approval/permission from the Heritage Conservation Committee. Further, the local body is expressly interdicted from issuing building permits in respect of the listed heritage buildings. It was necessary for the respondents to inform and put in the public domain the redevelopment plan, layouts, etc. with justification and explanatory memorandum relating to the need and necessity, with studies and reports."
The only additional direction by the SC was to set up the smog towers of adequate capacity in the new Parliament building and the usage of smog guns at the construction site throughout the construction phase.
Earlier, the Supreme Court of India expressed anguish against the Centre for going ahead with the Central Vista Project and has directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that no construction, demolition or felling of trees shall take place at the Central Vista site in Central Delhi till the Court delivers its judgment.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has sent a formal invitation to Prime Minister Modi to lay the foundation stone of the new Parliament building. On 10 December 2020, Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone at 1 pm for the construction of the said building.
In April 2020, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court by Rajeev Suri. The petition stated that the order violated the citizen’s Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 by depriving people of open and green spaces. The petition further argued that the Prime Minister's dream project violated the Master Plan of Delhi 2021.
In 2019, the Government of India announced the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. The project includes the construction of triangular Parliament building, common Central Secretariat and revamping of the 3-km-long vista or Rajpath.
About the Central Vista Project
The details about the Central Vista Project are as follows:
1- Aim: The Central Vista Project envisages redeveloping Central Vista as a world-class public space, restoring its grandeur as an architectural icon, housing modern facilities for the efficient functioning of the administration, strengthening cultural institutions and commemorating 75th year of Indian Independence.
2- Aatmanirbhar Bharat: As quoted by ANI, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated that the new Parliament building will be one such temple of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, reflecting the diversity of India.
3- Bigger than the old one: The new Parliament building will be 17,000 sq km bigger than the old Parliament building.
4- Earthquake resistant: The new Parliament building will be earthquake resistant.
5- Area: The building will span across 64,000 sq. km. area and will be built on plot number 118 of the Parliament House Estate.
6- Cost: The projected cost of the new Parliament building is Rs. 971 crores.
7- Time: The new Parliament building is expected to be completed by 2022 and a common Central Secretariat by March 2024.
8- Height: No new building will surpass the height of the India Gate.
9- Complex for MPs: A new complex will be constructed for the Members of Parliament of both the Houses at the existing Shram Shakti Bhawan.
10- Contract for construction: In September 2020, the Tata Projects Ltd. won a contract worth Rs 861.90 crore for the construction of the new building on a bid of Rs 865 crore.
11- Parliament session in the new building: In the 75th year of independence (2022), Parliament session will be held in the new building. As many as 1,224 MPs can sit together in the new building.
12- Design: Ahmedabad-based firm - HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd. has won the consultancy bid to revamp Central Vista.
13- Archaeological Asset: The existing Parliament building will be conserved as it is an archaeological asset of the country, the government has said.
14- Conversion of North and South blocks: The North and South blocks will be converted into museums.
15- Indigenous Architecture: The new Parliament will have four floors-- basement, ground, first and second. It will integrate the indigenous architecture and the height will be same as the new building.
16- Buildings to be demolished: The Nirman Bhawan and Vigyan Bhawan are among those buildings which would be demolished.
17- Reconstruction: The Prime Minister Office and the residences of Prime Minister and Vice President will be reconstructed.
Why there's a need to revamp Central Vista?
1- Inadequate infrastructure: The Government highlighted that the old Parliament buildings have an inadequate infrastructure to meet the present demand.
2- Structural lives: Most of the old buildings of Central Vista have outlived their structural lives.
3- Inter-departmental coordination: At present, the Central Government offices are spread over different locations, affecting the inter-departmental coordination, unnecessary travelling which leads to congestion and pollution.
What is Central Vista?
Central Vista of New Delhi houses Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North and South Block, India Gate, among others. These iconic buildings were constructed before the inaugural of new capital in the year 1931.
The Central Vista was designed by:
1- Parliament House: The Parliament House was designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker.
2- Rashtrapati Bhavan: The Rashtrapati Bhavan was designed by Edwin Lutyens.
3- North and South Block: The North and South blocks were designed by Herbert Baker.
List of Portraits Installed in Central Hall of Parliament House
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