The Central Vista project planned by the Modi government to build a new Parliament House and other key government installations in the national capital is all set to begin now. The final clearances have come from the Vista panel as also the environment ministry, and the Supreme Court has disallowed pleas to stall the project. The project, set for completion in five years, involves a spend of Rs 20,000 crore – and raises a pertinent question: is this the time for such a lavish spend. The nation is faced with a serious economic downturn and the lockdown further hit the economy hard. But from the looks of it, the government is determined on taking the project forward ignoring all objections.
Notably, the present parliament building is nearly a century-old, it having been built during the early stage of the British Raj’s selection of Delhi as its headquarters. The present red-stone building, inaugurated in 1927, is unique for its old-world charm, its round shape, and the elegance it displayed. Yet, it faced problems of space and there is need for more of representation there for the large bulge of population over time. There is also the problem of wear and tear. A proposal formally put forward a year ago to have a new Parliament House was carried forward zealously by the Modi government.
In a democracy, no big project will get implemented without inviting its share of criticism. The principal opposition, the Congress party, has strongly opposed the plan with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi writing to the PM in the context of the Covid-linked lockdown, to stress this is not the time to spend such a huge amount on a fancy project. She, as also others, demanded that the money be diverted for widening an economic-stimulus package, so that the entire country is benefited. They have a point, while the last word rests with the government.
The plan, among other things, involves erection of some 10 buildings to house central government offices on one campus, including the new Parliament House, official residences for the PM and the Vice President, etc. The entire plan would be executed along the Rajpath, a three-km stretch between Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate. This raises environmental concerns, as a large part of the green space in central Delhi will be lost, and this would add to congestion.
The government’s plan is also to erect central vistas in 17 state capitals, including in some north-eastern states – Shillong included. The sketch of the project also draws criticism, as a triangular building complex is planned. In the minimum, what comes up should be an improvement on what exists.