It is a flagship redevelopment initiative by the Government of India aimed at transforming the heart of New Delhi's administrative landscape. For UPSC CSE aspirants, understanding this project is crucial, as it encompasses themes of urban planning, heritage conservation, administrative reform, and governance.
What is the Central Vista Project?
Central Vista
refers to a 3.2-kilometer stretch in Delhi, running from Rashtrapati Bhavan
through India Gate, encompassing key government buildings such as the
Parliament House, North and South Blocks, and several ministry offices. The
area was originally designed by the British architects Edwin Lutyens and
Herbert Baker and inaugurated in 1931. It has since served as the power center
of independent India.
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Objectives and Components
The Central
Vista Redevelopment Project was launched to address issues of infrastructure
inadequacy, outdated facilities, and fragmented office locations. The project
seeks to:
● Construct a New Parliament Building: The new, state-of-the-art triangular
Parliament building is designed to accommodate future increases in
parliamentary strength (up to 900 seats), with enhanced safety, accessibility,
and technological features.
● Build a Common Central Secretariat: Aimed at consolidating the scattered offices
of various ministries, this will improve inter-ministerial efficiency,
coordination, and reduce unnecessary travel and congestion in the city.
● Revamp Iconic Spaces: The entire Rajpath (now Kartavya Path) from
Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate has been refurbished with broader walkways,
improved landscaping, public utilities, and better accessibility for national
and civic events.
● Repurpose and Modernize Heritage Structures: The North and South Blocks will be converted
into museums, preserving their cultural and historical relevance, while
existing ministry offices like Nirman Bhavan and Krishi Bhavan are slated for
demolition and reconstruction.
● Executive and Vice-President Enclave: New, secure residences and offices for the
Prime Minister and Vice-President are being built, enhancing security and
administrative functionality.
Need for the Redevelopment
● Aging Infrastructure: Most Central Vista buildings are nearly a
century old and no longer meet modern requirements for safety, seismic
stability, or capacity.
● Administrative Efficiency: Centralizing government offices is expected
to enhance coordination among ministries, streamline file movement, and save
resources by reducing leased office spaces across Delhi.
● Environmental Sustainability: The project incorporates green technologies, efficient public transport links, and expanded green spaces for public use, aiming to make governance offices both sustainable and public-friendly.
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Controversies and Criticism
The project
has prompted debates concerning its necessity, financial outlay (estimated at
around ₹13,000–13,500 crore), and the environmental impact of large-scale
redevelopment. Concerns have been raised about heritage preservation,
transparency in clearances, public consultation, and the timing amidst other
national priorities. The Supreme Court, however, has upheld the project’s
legality, finding no violation in the change of land use or other approvals.
Recent Developments
In August
2025, significant milestones were achieved with the inauguration of “Kartavya
Bhawan” the first of ten new secretariat buildings. The redevelopment of the
Kartavya Path and the new Parliament building has already enhanced public
spaces and government functionality. All buildings of the common secretariat
are slated for completion in phases through 2027.
Conclusion
The Central
Vista Project, while ambitious and transformative, is also a case study in
navigating the intersection of heritage, urban modernization, and governance
reform. For UPSC CSE aspirants, it provides a contemporary lens to analyze
public policy debates, administrative effectiveness, sustainability, and the
evolution of India's symbols of democracy.
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