Tata Projects to Construct the New Parliament Building

Tata Projects Limited won the bid to construct a new parliament building at a cost of Rs 861.90 crore. Last month, the government narrowed the list of choices for building a new Parliament complex to three Mumbai-based construction companies, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Projects and Shapoorji Pallonji & Company, L&T Ltd had submitted a bid of Rs 865 crore. But Tata Projects Ltd was the lowest bidder. The redevelopment project of Central Vista -- the nation's power corridor -- envisages a new triangular parliament building, a common central secretariat and revamping of the 3-km-long Rajpath, from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate. The new building will be constructed close to the existing one under the Central Vista redevelopment project.As per the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the principal agency for creation and maintenance of all government assets, the new Parliament building with a built-up area of approximately 60,000 metre square, is set to come up on plot number 118 of the Parliament House Estate, which currently houses a reception, boundary walls and other temporary structures. It is expected to be completed in 21 months from the start of construction work. However, a decision on starting the construction work has not been taken yet. The government is likely to demolish buildings such as Udyog Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan to facilitate new Central Secretariat which will house offices of several ministries. The triangular complex is designed to include 120 offices with six separate entrances for member of the public, MPs and VIPs, including the Speaker and the vice president. It will house enlarged chambers for the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha; the latter has been designed to accommodate 1,350 MPs in case of joint sessions. The public gallery will seat more than 336 persons. The current Parliament building is over 90 years old. There will be a separate building to house MP offices where the Transport Bhawan and the Shram Shakti Bhawan currently stand. According to a presentation by HCP Design Planning and Management Private Limited, which has been tasked with redeveloping Delhi’s Central Vista, India’s national emblem is likely to sit atop the new Parliament building. The national emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, a fine sculpture that dates back to around 250 BC at the time of Emperor Ashoka’s reign, and which depicts four lions, each facing the four directions, placed atop the Ashoka pillar.