PM lays foundation stone of new Parliament building

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament building which will be equipped with all modern audio visual communication facilities and data network systems -- making it a symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The event took place on the strength of the Supreme Court order that the foundation stone for the new parliament building could take place as scheduled, against the petitions seeking to halt the construction. The apex court however also ordered that the construction could start only after the court gave clearance for the same on the petitions against the government move; and the government gave assurance that no felling of trees or demolitions would be carried out for the project.

The prime minister also performed 'Bhoomi Poojan' for the construction of the four-storied new Parliament building, one of the most magnificent buildings in the country, 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 of 2022 in the new Parliament Building when the nation celebrates 75 years of Independence.

Each Member of Parliament would also be provided with a 40 square metre office space in the redeveloped Shram Shakti Bhawan, construction for which is slated to be completed by 2024.

The new Parliament building has been designed by HCP Design and Management Pvt Ltd Ahmedabad and the construction would be carried out by Tata Projects Ltd, keeping the needs and requirements for the next 100 years in mind.

As per government sources, special care is being taken to ensure all environmental safeguards are followed, including minimal disturbance to Parliament sessions during construction work.

Artisans and sculptors from all over the country would contribute to and showcase India's cultural diversity in the building.

(With inputs from IANS)