Central Vista Project

Central Vista project seeks to build a new parliament and other central government offices in Lutyens’ zone in central Delhi. The Central government wants to redevelop the Central Vista, the 3-km long stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate. These will be built along with new residences for the Prime Minister and the Vice President near South and North Blocks, which will be repurposed as museums.

• There will be a new building for the Prime Minister’s Office.
• The new complex is likely to have a triangular shape. The plan is to be completed by 2022.

Significance of Central Vista Project:

• The present building, an 85-year-old structure suffers from inadequacy of space to house members and their staff and is thought to suffer from structural issues and the building also needs to be protected because of its heritage.
• Central Vista is an essential ingredient of sovereignty and pride, and also where recreational spaces are available for enjoyment by the citizens.
• It is a major attraction for the tourists who visit the country.
• A draft master plan by a private firm contracted by the government has proposed a Parliament building next to the existing heritage structure, and office buildings all along Rajpath.
• These buildings will be built after demolishing existing buildings.
• According to the CPWD application for environmental clearance for the project, the construction of the new Parliament building is estimated to cost Rs. 922 crore.

Challenges:

• Lack of transparency
• Lack of studies to ascertain the need for the project 
• Impact on the environment
• Traffic
• Pollution.

North and South Block or to be converted into museums.  The Rashtrapati Bhawan area to the ridge is to be turned into biodiversity arboretum.  It will showcase India’s biological diversity.