The Parliament House building is a Grade-I heritage structure of India that was constructed during 1921-27. The structure has been subjected to various modifications in the post-independence period so as to maintain its functionality as per changing requirements over the years.
As part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, the new Indian parliament is proposed to be erected by the year 2022 which is estimated to cost 970crores from the total Central Vista Redevelopment cost of 20000crores.
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During the time of the Covid pandemic, it is quite normal to question the relevance of spending billions on the new proposed buildings while India is currently facing a huge crisis in terms of economy, medicine, and many relevant facilities. The redevelopment project was claimed as an essential service by employing thousands of workers around the building when the actual essentiality was to provide enough medical services to the citizens of the country. The opposers described the proposal as a vanity project, whereas the Supreme court approved the construction. Arguments were raised against the government stating that the construction work during lockdown could become a Covid super spread event. There were more needs for medical staff and equipment, and proper infrastructure to support these services during the time of the devastating spread of the pandemic.
The strict Covid-19 lockdown in the world has brought down the country’s economy. Beyond all these, many felt that the government spent more on a vanity project when it was supposed to be used for fighting the oxygen and vaccine shortage in the country. The pandemic shrunken the GDP hiked unemployment, and also put the banking sector in a distressed state. India is suffering its worst recession in the years, striving coronavirus. The strict lockdown saved many lives but it also costed jobs, where many people aren’t recovered yet.
According to the database of the International Labour Organization, India’s unemployment rate rose sharply to 7.11% in 2020 which is the highest in the last three decades. In 2021, it peaked to 14.7% amidst the strict lockdown which in terms caused a devastating impact on the Indian economy.
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The parliament is the living symbol of Indian democracy. Therefore the construction of a new Parliament building other than upgrading the existing heritage structure is fairly questionable.
The actual need for the development of the project is rooted in the creation of a larger working space for the efficient functioning of the department. Currently, there are space limitations to accommodate the members of parliament in the building and there is no scope to expand the existing Central hall. Due to the same, all the joint sessions of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are conducted by makeshift arrangements in the Central Hall, which is a huge inconvenience to the users. In addition to that, the existing structure also falls short of fire, water, and electrical safety norms and poses a grave security risk for the legislators and secretarial staff. The building has either outlived or is approaching its structural life and is not earthquake resistant.
The decision on the construction or renovation of the building was entrusted to the consultant wherein the task of making the master plan or deciding about the necessity of the new building is taken by the government after consultation with all relevant entities.
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Post Parliament attack in 2001, the security arrangements have been intensified and public access to the proposed Parliament space, which was previously used as a public park has been restricted. As per the project proposal, the land use pattern from recreational use will be changed into government use and the changed land use for recreational space will be provided at three different locations in the neighborhood. This concept allows the provision of recreational spaces in a diversified manner at locations where the public can actually access such spaces meaningfully.
The existing heritage structure will not be affected by the development project. It will conserve the delicate heritage and historical value of the area whilst allowing room for growth and development for future generations.
“Once a heritage, always a heritage.”
