May 28, 2023, is set to be a milestone in India's history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly-constructed Parliament building, which has had its share of controversies. And there are no signs of the political tug of war ending soon.
Soon after the inauguration was announced officially, the Congress called the newly-constructed Parliament building a "personal vanity project" of Modi, and asked what is the use of such a building if the opposition's microphones are switched off. The opposition party also said that Parliament is not merely a building but the “voice of the voiceless”.
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AICC general secretary, communications Jairam Ramesh shared a picture of the prime minister inspecting the ongoing work in the new Parliament building and said, "The sole architect, designer and worker for the new Parliament building, which he will inaugurate on May 28th. The picture tells it all - personal vanity project."
Congress MP and party whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore tweeted, "Parliament buildings are not only of brick and cement, it's voice of the voiceless people."
"It's not about space .. It's not about facilities.. It's voice. But now when mikes are switched off for Opposition. What's the use of this," he asked.
The new building is part of the redevelopment of the Central Vista, the nation's power corridor.
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Revamping the three-km road from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate, constructing a common central secretariat, a new office and residence of the prime minister, and a new vice-president enclave are also part of the project being executed by the Cental Public Works Department.
Need for a new building
The present Parliament building was completed in 1927, and is now 96 years old. Over the years, the old building was found to be inadequate for present day requirements.
Officials said the present building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature and the seating arrangements were cramped and cumbersome, with no desks beyond the second row.
The Central Hall has seating capacity only for 440 people and the need for more space was acutely felt during joint sittings of both the houses.
The Parliament building witnessed the addition of two floors in 1956 to address the demand for more space.
PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the new parliament building on December 10, 2020.
The new Parliament building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber, it said. In case of a joint sitting of both the Houses, a total of 1,280 members can be accommodated in the Lok Sabha chamber.
The new building, constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, will have a grand constitution hall to showcase India's democratic heritage, a lounge for MPs, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space. The triangular-shaped four-storey building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres. The building has three main gates - Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar. It will have separate entrances for VIPs, MPs, and visitors.
(With PTI inputs)