PM Modi pays surprise visit to new Parliament building, inspects facilities

PM Modi was pictured inside both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as well as taking a walk in the corridors. He was also seen interacting with the workers on site.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside the Lok Sabha of the new Parliament building | Photo: Twitter/ANI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday paid a surprise visit to the new Parliament building in the capital, which is coming up adjacent to the existing one.

He spent more than an hour on the complex, during which he inspected the construction work and facilities of the new building, news agency ANI said citing sources.

PM Modi was pictured inside both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as well as taking a walk in the corridors. He was also seen interacting with the workers on site. The new building is coming up at plot number 118 of the Parliament House Estate.

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Delhi | PM Narendra Modi today went for a surprise visit to the new Parliament building. pic.twitter.com/WAlSWgBdd8

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2023

Although an official date hasn’t been announced, reports said it was likely to be inaugurated in March, when the Houses convene for the second part of the Union Budget session.

The new Parliament building – which is part of the Central Vista redevelopment project – is being built by Tata Projects Limited and features a grand Constitution Hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for members of Parliament, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

The company had won the bid to construct the new Parliament building at a cost of Rs 861.90 crore in September 2020.

According to an Outlook report, the new building will be able to accommodate more MPs as the strength of both the Houses may increase after delimitation of constituencies. The new structure will have spacious seating arrangements for around 1,400 lawmakers.

At the time of awarding the bid, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the principal agency for creation and maintenance of all government assets, had said that the existing Parliament building would continue to function during the entire period of execution of the redevelopment project. Upon completion of the new Parliament building, the current one would be used for other purposes.