Construction Biggies in Race to Build Parliament

Seven construction companies have submitted bids for pre-qualification for the contract to build a new parliament building. As part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, the construction of the new Parliament building, close to the existing one, is expected to be completed in 21 months at an estimated cost of Rs 889 crore. According to a senior Central Public Works Department (CPWD) official, the pre-qualification bids were opened on 14th afternoon and the bids were received from seven companies — Tata Project Ltd, Larsen & Toubro Limited, ITD Cementation India Ltd, NCC Ltd., Shapoorji Pallonji and Co Pvt Ltd, Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Limited and PSP Projects Ltd. CPWD, a prime construction agency under the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, said the new building will be constructed at plot number 118 of the Parliament House Estate. The new parliament building is expected to be constructed by 2022, when India would celebrate its 75th year of Independence. The existing parliament building was designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker and its construction was completed six years after it began in 1921.The building housed the Imperial Legislative Council before Independence.