India's New Parliament Building - Inauguration, Features and Need | UPSC Notes

An Insight into the New Parliament Building

Image source: Hindustan Times

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the New Parliament House in May 2023. This monument is a key part of the Central Vista Project .

• The new Parliament building, situated on Rafi Marg, New Delhi, is nestled amidst iconic landmarks including 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 various other administrative units of the Indian government.
• The building is home to the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha .
  • The expansive complex comprises 888 seats in the Lok Sabha chamber and 384 seats in the Rajya Sabha chamber.
  • The Lok Sabha hall, inspired by the peacock, India’s national bird, is a sight to behold.
  • The Rajya Sabha hall, themed around the lotus, India’s national flower, is equally impressive.
• The new building is designed to stand the test of time with a projected lifespan of 150 years and is fortified to withstand earthquakes.
• In a symbolic gesture, Prime Minister Modi installed the Chola Sengol near the Speaker of the Lok Sabha's chair during the inauguration ceremony.
• With a built-up area of around 65,000 sq m, the new building's triangular shape ensures optimal space utilization.
• The building boasts a state-of-the-art Constitutional Hall, symbolically placing Indian citizens at the heart of democracy.

Why a New Parliament Building was Necessary

The existing Parliament House, inaugurated in 1927, is a heritage building that is close to a century old. Over the years, the building has witnessed a surge in parliamentary activities and users. To accommodate the increasing requirements, the building underwent several ad hoc modifications and constructions over time. This led to signs of distress and over-utilization, rendering the building inadequate in terms of space, amenities, and technology.

According to the official website of the Central Vista project, several reasons necessitated a new parliament building.

• Lack of seating space for MPs: The original building was not designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature of a fully-fledged democracy. The number of Lok Sabha seats is set to increase dramatically after 2026 when the freeze on the total number of seats is likely to be lifted. The seating capacity was inadequate for joint sessions and posed a significant security risk due to limited space for movement.
• Decaying infrastructure: Over time, the addition of various services like water supply, sewer lines, air conditioning, firefighting equipment, and CCTV cameras caused water seepage at several locations, affecting the building's aesthetics and structural integrity. Fire safety was another major concern.
• Obsolete communication systems: The existing Parliament was equipped with outdated communication infrastructure and technology, and the acoustics in all halls required improvement.
• Safety concerns: The current Parliament building was constructed when Delhi was classified as Seismic Zone II. However, Delhi is now categorized as Seismic Zone IV, raising serious concerns about the building's structural safety.
• Insufficient workspace for employees: Over the years, the workspace was further reduced by creating sub-partitions to accommodate the growing workforce.
• The new Parliament building: The official website describes the new building, standing 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, facilitating smooth and efficient operations.

Conclusion:

• The construction of India’s new Parliament building is a significant milestone in the country's journey towards efficient governance.
• The enhanced capacity, upgraded infrastructure, advanced technology, and commitment to safety and sustainability promise to improve parliamentary proceedings and facilitate better decision-making for the nation’s progress.