Lucknow: With delimitation and the consequent near-certainty of an increase in constituencies on the horizon, Uttar Pradesh plans to build a whole new legislative complex with space for a much larger House.
The proposed complex, to be built on nearly 200 acres at Sahara City in Lucknow, is being designed to accommodate 700 Members of the Legislative Assembly and 200 Members of the Legislative Council, both figures way more than the assembly’s current strength of 403 and Council’s 100.
State government officials say the expanded seating capacity is a deliberate move. The design is being prepared keeping in mind a possible increase in the number of legislative seats after the proposed delimitation exercise, so that any expansion does not require another major restructuring of the legislature complex.
“The proposed complex is therefore being planned not merely as a replacement for the nearly century-old Vidhan Bhawan but as an infrastructure project that could serve a much larger legislature in the years ahead,” a senior government official at the Chief Minister’s Office said.
The Sahara City site, which was vacated after its lease expired in March this year, was earlier associated with the family of late business tycoon Subrata Roy Sahara.
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Lotus House
ThePrint has learnt that a radical architectural design will be one of the most distinctive features of the proposed complex. The main Assembly building has been conceptualised in the shape of a lotus, with the structure resembling lotus petals when viewed from above. The design has been selected with Indian cultural symbolism and Uttar Pradesh’s identity in mind, the official said.
Prathamesh Kumar, vice-chairperson of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), told ThePrint that 12 architectural consultants had submitted proposals for the new Assembly building. The LDA has shortlisted the top three designs and forwarded them to the state government, which will take the final decision on which proposal is selected. He did not comment on the lotus-shape plan, but LDA sources told ThePrint that senior functionaries in CMO have liked it.
Construction is expected to begin next year, subject to approval of the final proposal and completion of the design and planning process. The proposed campus will have separate modern structures for the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, along with a large hall for joint sittings. The hall, with a projected capacity of 1,000, could also be used for special sessions, major government events and other important functions.
“Once completed, the project will not merely be a new Assembly building but could also become a new architectural landmark for Lucknow. With modern facilities, a large campus and a distinctive design, it is being envisioned as an important project that could give a new identity to Uttar Pradesh’s administrative infrastructure. The project, therefore, is being planned on a scale significantly larger than the existing legislature complex, with its design and capacity aimed at meeting the requirements of UP’s political and administrative system for decades to come,” he said.
Both Houses will be equipped with modern technology, digital systems and enhanced security infrastructure. The facilities are being planned to meet the requirements of the legislature in the future, particularly in the event of an increase in the number of seats following delimitation.
The proposed complex will also include parking facilities for more than 5,000 vehicles. The master plan envisages wide internal roads, landscaped green spaces, administrative offices and high-tech security arrangements.
The mega project is also expected to include a modern secretariat, a chief minister’s residence, accommodation for legislators and a VVIP administrative block. Separate discussion rooms for representatives from different districts are also proposed as part of the complex.
Rs 100 crore allotted
The state budget has allocated Rs 100 crore for preparing the master plan and completing the design process for the proposed new Vidhan Bhawan.
The existing Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Bhawan in Hazratganj area of Lucknow dates back to the British era. Its foundation stone was laid on 15 December 1922 by Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler, the then Governor of the United Provinces. The building took nearly six years to complete and was inaugurated on 21 February 1928 by Sir William Morris.
Originally known as the Council House, the building was designed by architects Sir Swinton Jacob and Hira Singh and constructed at a cost of around Rs 21 lakh.
(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)
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