Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building on Monday, an event that will see over 19 opposition parties boycotting it.
Tagged the "temple of democracy" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the triangular-shaped four-storey building boasts a built-up area of 64,500 square metres. The Lok Sabha chamber in the new building is three times bigger than the present one, with a seating capacity of 888 members. This can be increased to 1,224 in joint sessions. The Rajya Sabha has space for 384 members―four times bigger than the current chamber.
The interiors of the Lok Sabha have references to the national bird, the peacock, while the interiors of the Rajya Sabha have been built on the inspiration from the national flower, the lotus. In the third aspect of the building―the open courtyard―the national tree, the Banyan, is pre-eminent. The courtyard leads to a central lounge where members can interact.
The materials for the construction have been sourced from various parts of the country. While the red and white sandstones from Sarmathura in the Dholpur district of Rajasthan have been used extensively in the building to help give it an appearance that is in keeping with the original buildings of Central Vista, there is also extensive use of wooden structures, with wood procured from Nagpur, Maharashtra.
The inauguration
Though the centre has not published the details of the inauguration, reports said the ceremony will begin with a puja. The puja performed by Vedic ritual way began at 7:30 am and will go on till 9 am.
PM Modi will receive the Sengol after that and will install the Sengol after a ceremony. A diya will be lightened followed by the unveiling of the plaque.
Security tightened
Security has been stepped up in Lutyens' Delhi ahead of the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday at an elaborate ceremony to be attended by many eminent personalities.
Police have already issued a traffic advisory that the New Delhi district will be treated as a controlled area for the period and entry of vehicles will be restricted.
The Parliament Building is located in a high-security area. Besides additional deployment, there is continuous monitoring through CCTV cameras, the police said.
