‘Redesigning’ history?: Modi Govt plans to redevelop Rajpath, Parliament and Central Secretariat       

The government plans to redevelop the central vista of Lutyen’s Delhi, the main boulevard from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate which was designed by Edwin Lutyens. The new plan is to be “rooted in Indian culture and social milieu.”

The mega plan would entail making a new parliament building close to the current Parliament building, modernising the old one according to present and future needs; constructing a common secretariat to accommodate most departments.

TOI reports that the Central Public Works Department has asked different firms and consultants to send proposals to prepare a new master plan for the entire central vista that represents “new values and aspirations of a new India good governance, efficiency, transparency, accountability and equity and is rooted in Indian culture and social milieu.”

According to TOI, the main objective of the effort is to re-plan the 4km area of the central vista zone. The master plan, encompassing the detailed design, concept and/or demolition of existing structures. CPWD also envisages an array of new iconic structures that would be a legacy of at least 150-200 years.

The plan includes upgrading the public facilities, amenities, parking and green space. Officials said the present Parliament building may not have adequate space to house more MPs when fresh demarcation of constituencies is done.

The housing and urban affairs ministry would supervise over this since it is normally also responsible for maintaining and developing the central vista and its surrounding areas.

The firm or consultant that gets its project selected shall submit the envisioned plan containing the concept, design and strategies to developing, refurbishing or demolition of buildings as the infrastructure they plan would demand.

Although the Modi government had first wanted to build a magnificent 10 acres wide new secretariat in the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone in November 2014, it later dropped the idea. The plan has now not only been revived but has also been expanded.