Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday hit out at critics of the Central Vista project.
Addressing a press conference, Puri said the decision to undertake construction of the Central Vista project was taken before the pandemic. He noted the cost of the project was around Rs 1,300 crore.
Puri alleged "A false narrative is being propagated about the Central Vista project. None of the historic and cultural buildings will be touched," ANI reported.
Emphasising the importance of a new Parliament, Puri said, "It is necessary to build a new building of Parliament because the old building used to come in seismic zone 2; if there is a strong earthquake, now this building is in seismic zone 4."
Puri was quoted by ANI as saying, "At the time of independence, our population was close to 350 million. We need space in the Parliament House, so that Members of Parliament can sit. This demand (for new Parliament) is being made since [the time] Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister."
Earlier in the day, Puri had denied a media report that claimed work on the prime minister's new residence would start in August. Puri tweeted, "Conceptual designs of PM Residence have still not been presented to the Ministry... Further, before construction starts, the design has to be finalised, approved and works have to be awarded after tendering."
also read
- Parliament productivity dips amid protests; Rajya Sabha functioned just 40 pc of its scheduled time
- 'A badge of honour': Congress reacts to FIR against Rahul Gandhi
- Days after Constitution debate, parliament witnesses unruly scenes over Ambedkar row
- Pratap Sarangi: 'I was standing near the stairs when Rahul Gandhi came and pushed an MP who...'
He noted only two projects were under way—a new Parliament and the headquarters for various ministries—under the Central Vista project. Puri also responded to claims the total cost of the Central Vista project would be Rs 20,000 crore. “Offices for 51 ministries, Linking with Metro City, New Parliament House, 9 Office Buildings, New Indira Gandhi Center for Performing Arts All in all, the expenditure will probably be Rs 13,000-15,000 crore,” Puri was quoted as saying by ANI.