New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a new Parliament building, which will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 971 crores, on December 10.
Pointing out that the existing “temple of democracy is completing 100 years”, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, on Saturday, said that the new building will have an area of 64,500 square metres and will serve as a “prime example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
“It is a matter of pride for our countrymen that the new one will be built by our own people as a prime example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” Birla said while announcing the details of the new proposed building, adding that it will “showcase the cultural diversity of the country”.
The new building will hopefully be ready for use of the Parliament session in the 75th year of independence, he added.
According to the Speaker, the proposed building will be earthquake resistant and will be able to seat as many as 1,224 MPs together in the building. Additionally, a new office complex will be built at the site of the existing Shram Shakti Bhawan for all MPs of both the houses.
As many as 2,000 people will directly be involved in the construction of the new building and 9,000 will be involved indirectly.
Birla added that the current Parliament building will be conserved as it is an archaeological asset.
The Speaker extended a formal invitation to PM Modi on Saturday. An invitation for the foundation laying ceremony will be extended to all political parties. Some will attend the ceremony physically while others virtually, he added. Covid-related guidelines will be followed during the event, Birla assured.
Speaker Birla added that apart from housing a lounge for Parliament members, multiple committee rooms, a library, dining areas and ample parking space, the new building will have a grand Constitution Hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage. The Lok Sabha chamber of the new building will have a seating capacity for 888 members, while the Rajya Sabha will have 384 seats, keeping in mind any future increase in the number of members for the two houses.
The sanctioned strength of the Lok Sabha is 543 members and the Rajya Sabha is 245 members.
Tata Projects Limited won the bid to construct the new parliament building this September, at a cost of Rs 861.90 crore.
