New Parliament Building: All You Need To Know (Image:Twitter/AmitShah)
India”s lawmakers will shift today to the new Parliament which highlights a number of special features.
The New Parliament House of India, constructed in New Delhi, was inaugurated on May 28, 2023, and is designed to accommodate the growing number of Members. The foundation stone of the new building was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 10, 2020.
- The structure is built over an area of 64,500 square metres by the Tata Projects Limited, and is constructed on the lines of the Central Vista buildings in a triangular format. Central Vista is a large, green area that is home to many government buildings, including the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Prime Minister’s Office. The design was done by Ahmedabad-based HCP Design and Management Pvt Limited.
- It is built in a modern style using concrete and glass where as the old, a Gothic revival building, was made up of red sandstones. The new building reflects various architectural influences from important heritage buildings of India including the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.
- It houses the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha, the Central Lounge and the offices of constitutional authorities. The building also has six gates – named after (some real, some mythological) creatures, including the elephant and Garuda, the eagle that is Vishnu”s mount.
- The structure has the space for 888 members in the Lok Sabha and 384 members in the Rajya Sabha (in the old building it is 543 and 250 respectively). The central courtyard is the space for open meetings for members of both the houses. The building has the capacity to have up to 1,272 members for joint sessions of Parliament.
- Lok Sabha Chamber is designed in the likeness of a Peacock, India”s National Bird and the Rajya Sabha Chamber similar to Lotus, India”s National Flower.
- The building that spans over three floors, includes a Constitution Hall, which showcases India”s democratic heritage, a library, a dining room, and ample parking facilities for the members. It also holds six committee rooms (three in the old), and 92 rooms for the use of the Council of Ministers.
- In it, two members will be able to sit side by side on each bench in the lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha Chambers. Each seat is equipped with digital systems and touch screens.
- It features rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems along with 100% UPS power backup facilities. The building is also equipped with a number of security features, such as a bulletproof glass dome and a sophisticated security system.
- It is paperless, where every MP will be given with a tablet or computer, and has an automated system to switch off a MP”s microphone at the end of time allotted for their speech. There are also strict norms for the entry of journalists.
- On the inauguration of the new building, a Sengol with Nandi at the top was installed, facing East-West direction. It is a historical scepter that is believed to have been used by the Chola Dynasty kings of South India. It is made of gold and encrusted with precious stones and is displayed in the new Parliament House, near the Speaker’s chair.
The old building will be preserved, continue to be used to retains it”s historical heritage. Statues in the old building will also be restored.
The new Parliament building will make every Indian proud. This video offers a glimpse of this iconic building. I have a special request- share this video with your own voice-over, which conveys your thoughts. I will re-Tweet some of them. Don’t forget to use #MyParliamentMyPride. pic.twitter.com/yEt4F38e8E
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2023
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