TATA Group wins bid to build new Parliament building

Sept. 16: In a latest development, Tata Projects has won the contract for construction of the new Parliament building with the lowest bid of Rs 861.90 crore. The new building will be built as part of the Narendra Modi government’s plan to redevelop the Central Vista in New Delhi. The timeline given to complete the Central Vista project is November 2021 and work on the Parliament building is to be completed by March 2022 and the common Central Secretariat by March 2024.

Work on the building is likely to begin after the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament comes to an end, according to reports. A total of seven firms had submitted pre-qualification bids for the construction of the new building, which is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s ambitious Central Vista Redevelopment Project.

The new Parliament building would comprise halls with a larger seating capacity for the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, offices for members of Parliament, as well as a courtyard, dining facilities and a lounge for lawmakers. Construction is likely to begin after Parliament’s winter session and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

The revamp, announced in September last year, envisages a new triangular Parliament building, with seating capacity for 900 to 1,200 MPs, which is targeted to be constructed by August 2022 when the country will be celebrating its 75th Independence Day. The common Central Secretariat is likely to be built by 2024.

The current parliament building, built during the British era, is circular and is one of India’s most acclaimed monuments. The building would be used for other purposes after it is repaired and renovated, say officials. Its construction began in 1921 and was completed six years later. Two floors were added in 1956 because of the demand for space.