India's New Parliament Building [UPSC Notes]

In the 75th year of Independence, India proudly unveiled a new Parliament building, constructed by its own people, representing the culture, pride, and spirit of the entire nation. In this article, you can read more about the new Parliament building of India, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28th May 2023. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam under the current affairs and governance segment.

New Parliament Building

Image source: Hindustan Times

The New Parliament House was inaugurated by Shri Modi in May 2023. This building is part of the Central Vista Project.

• Located on Rafi Marg, New Delhi, the new building is surrounded by the Old Parliament House, India Gate, Vijay Chowk, Vice President’s House, National War Memorial, Prime Minister’s Office & residence, Secretariat Building, Hyderabad House, ministerial buildings and other administrative units of the Indian government.
• It houses the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
  • The new complex has 888 seats in the Lok Sabha chamber and 384 seats in the Rajya Sabha chamber.
  • The Lok Sabha hall is based on the peacock theme, representing India’s national bird.
  • The Rajya Sabha hall is based on the lotus theme, symbolizing India’s national flower.
• The new building is said to have a lifespan of 150 years and is designed to be earthquake-resistant.
• At the new Parliament’s inauguration ceremony, Shri Modi installed the Chola Sengol near the chair of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• The new building has a built-up area of approximately 65,000 sq m, and its triangular shape ensures optimal space utilization.
• The building includes a state-of-the-art Constitutional Hall, which symbolically and physically places Indian citizens at the heart of democracy.

Need for a New Parliament Building

The current Parliament House, commissioned in 1927, is nearly a century-old heritage building. It has experienced a significant increase in parliamentary activities and users over the years. To accommodate rising needs the structure went through various ad hoc constructions and modifications over time, resulting in the building “showing signs of distress and over-utilization” and failing to meet present requirements in terms of space, amenities, and technology. 

According to the official website of the Central Vista project, various reasons are cited for the need for a new parliament building.

• Insufficient seating space for MPs: The existing building was not originally designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature for a fully-fledged democracy. The number of Lok Sabha seats is expected to increase significantly after 2026 when the freeze on the total number of seats is expected to be removed. The seating capacity was not enough for joint sessions. Due to limited space for movement, it was also a huge security risk.
• Deteriorating infrastructure: As many services were added over time such as water supply, sewer lines, air conditioning, firefighting equipment, and CCTV cameras, this has caused water seepage at various locations, affecting the building’s aesthetics and structural integrity. Fire safety was also a major concern.
• Outdated communication systems: The existing Parliament had outdated communication infrastructure and technology, while the acoustics in all the halls needed improvement.
• Safety concerns: The current Parliament building was constructed when Delhi was in Seismic Zone II, but it is now in Seismic Zone IV, raising concerns about its structural safety.
• Inadequate workspace for employees: Over the years, due to an increase in workman force, these workspaces were further reduced by creating sub-partitions to accommodate more workers.
• New Parliament building: The official website describes the new building, which stands alongside the existing Parliament House, as a reflection of the aspirations of 1.35 billion Indians. The old and new Parliament buildings will function together as an ensemble, facilitating smooth and efficient operations.

Conclusion:

• The construction of India’s new Parliament building marks a significant milestone in the nation’s journey towards efficient governance. 
• The increased capacity, improved infrastructure, advanced technology, and commitment to safety and sustainability pave the way for enhanced parliamentary proceedings and facilitate better decision-making for the nation’s progress.

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