INDEX
REFERENCE WITH UPSC-CSE SYLLABUS
- WHY IN NEWS
- ABOUT
- BACKGROUND
- KEY POINTS
- ARGUMENT IN FAVOUR
- ARGUMENT AGAINST
- COURT VERDICT
- RELEVANCE OF TOPIC RELATED TO ETHICS
- CHALLENGES
- CONCLUSION
EXPECTED PRELIMS QUESTIONS
EXPECTED MAINS QUESTIONS
REFERENCE WITH UPSC-CSE SYLLABUS
General Studies-I
Indian Culture - Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
WHY IN NEWS
- Central Vista redevelopment project opposed by former bureaucrats
ABOUT
- A 3.2 kilometer stretch in Delhi which includes Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North and South Block, India Gate, National Archives among others is Central Vista Project.
- 1931 the year in which the new capital was inaugurated all these iconic buildings were constructed before that.
- For the construction of a new parliament building that will be close to the existing one, the Central Vista Redevelopment Project is the government’s plan.
- It includes area covered by central administrative buildings and residential buildings at Raisina Hill, New Delhi, India, which is set under revamping.
- At the time of British colonial rule the place was built but later got retained by the Indian government after the independence.
- The planners of the area were Herbert Baker and Edward Lutyens.
BACKGROUND
- An announcement in Delhi Durbar (a grand assembly) to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi was made by King George V in December 1911.
- To mark the coronation of King George V Delhi Durbar was hosted.
- Edwin Lutyens, known for his strong adherence to European Classicism, and Herbert Baker, a prominent architect in South Africa were given the task of constructing a new city.
- Union buildings at Pretoria, South Africa architect is Herbert Baker.
- He also designs The Secretariat which includes both the north and south blocks.
- Both Lutyens and Baker designed the Parliament House building.
- The temple which inspired the design of the Indian Parliament is Madhya Pradesh’s Chausath Yogini Mandir.
- Edwin Lutyens designed Rashtrapati Bhavan.
KEY POINTS
- In 2019 was it proposed by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- A triangular Parliament building next to the existing one construction.
- Common Central Secretariat Construction.
- From Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate-Revamping of the 3-km-long Rajpath
- As museums North and South Block to be reconverted.
- The consultancy bid to revamp Central Vista was won by Ahmedabad-based firm - HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd.
- As an archaeological asset of the country the existing Parliament building will be conserved.
- Basement, ground, first and second- four floors in the new Parliament have It will integrate the indigenous architecture and the height will be same as the new building.
- Reconstructed of Prime Minister Office and the residences of Prime Minister and Vice President will be done.
- Under this project, Nirman Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, and Vigyan Bhavan will be demolished.
- CPWD (Central Public Work Department), India is the developer of the project.
- Starting from 2020 to 2024 duration will be around 4 years.
- Tata Projects Ltd. won the contract for the construction of the new building.
- At the existing Shram Shakti Bhawan, a new complex will be constructed for the Members of Parliament of both Houses.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOUR
- Parliament session will be held in the new building in the 75th year of independence (2022) and around 1,224 MPs can sit together.
- It will be earthquake resistant bigger than the old Parliament building (APPROX 17,000 sq km)
- Unnecessary travel leading to congestion and pollution due to the offices of the Central Government are spread over different locations which affect inter-departmental coordination.
- The structural lives of most of the existing buildings had been outlived.
- Technology and infrastructure have change we need to adapt according to the change.
ARGUMENT AGAINST
- Lack of studies to ascertain the need for the project and its impact on the environment, traffic, and pollution opposition parties have questioned.
- Without adequate consultations, the decision was taken in a hurry.
- In the process that involved approval of the design, clearance on monetary allocations and the tendering processes, and other regulatory clearances on the environment and from local municipal bodies there were some irregularities.
- It was vital to consider the environmental impacts before planning any revamp or construction especially in Delhi.
- Providing healthcare facilities during the pandemic should be the government's priority but around Rs, 20,000 crores were spent on the Central Vista project.
COURT VERDICT
- The court has held that there are no infirmities in the approvals granted in a 2:1 majority verdict.
- The central government’s change of land use for the project in the Master Plan of Delhi 2021 is also a lawful exercise of its powers the verdict said.
RELEVANCE OF TOPIC RELATED TO ETHICS
- During the pandemic period to pass the project and spend the money on the project rather than on the public health care, was this the right thing to do?
CHALLENGES
- Better security of Parliament House, protection of digital files and the ministries after the new building is constructed can this be a guarantee?
CONCLUSION
- Heritage Conservation Committee which is an expert body in matters involving heritage structures should have been consulted so old buildings can be repaired and beautified.
- Notification for the project was issued when the country was suffering from COVID Pandemic and was cleared by the environment ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee, which was not right thing to do according to situation.
- Morality should be adopted by the government in taking decision.
EXPECTED PRELIMS QUESTIONS
Q1. Consider the following statement regarding Central Vista Project
(a) Central Vista redevelopment project in 2019 was proposed by the Union Ministry of Arts and Culture.
(b) Reliance group won the contract for the construction of the new building.
Which of the following statement is correct?
(1) a only
(2) b only
(3) Both a and b
(4) Neither a nor b
SOLUTION
STATEMENT A is incorrect because Central Vista redevelopment project in 2019 was proposed by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
STATEMENT B is incorrect because Tata Projects Ltd. won the contract for the construction of the new building.
Q2. Consider the following statement regarding Central Vista Project
(a) Under this project, Nirman Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, and Vigyan Bhavan will be demolished.
(b) CPWD (Central Public Work Department), India is the developer of the project.
Which of the following statement is incorrect?
(1) a only
(2) b only
(3) Both a and b
(4) Neither a nor b
SOLUTION
STATEMENT A is correct because Under this project, Nirman Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, and Vigyan Bhavan will be demolished.
STATEMENT B is correct because CPWD (Central Public Work Department), India is the developer of the project.
Q3. Consider the following statement
(a) Edwin Lutyens was the architect of Union buildings at Pretoria, South Africa.
(b) Herbert Baker designed Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Which of the following statement is incorrect?
(1) a only
(2) b only
(3) Both a and b
(4) Neither a nor b
SOLUTION
STATEMENT A is incorrect Herbert Baker was the architect of Union buildings at Pretoria, South Africa.
STATEMENT B is incorrect because Edwin Lutyens designed Rashtrapati Bhavan.
EXPECTED MAINS QUESTIONS
Q. Redeveloping Parliament House or building a new structure? What are your opinion with the Central Vista Project. Discuss
Sources used:
The Hindu,The Indian Express, British Broadcasting Corporation News, Press Trust of India, Business Standard, The Economic Times