Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of the New Parliament Building at Sansad Marg in Parliament Complex by performing religious rituals at the site. The various religious leaders performed Sarva Dharma Prarthana at the foundation stone laying ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said that the new parliament building will be the place to fulfill the aspirations of the 21st century India. He said that the new building will witness the creation of a self reliant India. Mr. Modi termed the foundation stone laying ceremony as a milestone in India’s democratic history. He said, the new parliament house is a building by the Indians which is vibrant with the idea of indianness.
Prime Minister said that he will never forget the moment when he walked into the Parliament for the first time in 2014 when he bowed down at the steps of the Parliament with respect. He said the new building will increase the efficiency of the parliamentarians as it houses many modern amenities. He said, India’s democracy is a system developed through centuries of experience.
Prime Minister said, democracy in India has always been a means of resolving differences along with governance. He said, different views and different perspectives always empower a vibrant democracy. Mr Modi said, policies and Politics may vary, but we are for the service of Public and there should be no differences in this ultimate goal. He said, we always have to remember that every delegate who reaches Parliament is accountable and this accountability is also towards the public and to the Constitution.
Prime Minister said, democracy is a ritual in India. It is a way of life and soul of the nation. He said, the Indian democratic system has evolved through ages and centuries of experience. He added that the Indian democratic system has an element of life in addition to a system of order.
Addressing the gathering, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the current building did not have scope of further structural expansion which necessitated construction of a new parliament building. He said, this will help in successfully discharging the constitutional duties in the years to come.
Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep S. Puri and several others Union Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament were also present on the occasion.
The new building is an intrinsic part of the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. It will be a landmark opportunity to build peoples’ Parliament for the first time after independence. The new Parliament building will match the needs and aspirations of New India in the 75th anniversary of independence in 2022. The new Building is being constructed at a cost of 971 crore rupees which will house more Committee Rooms and Political Parties offices than the existing Parliament House. Our correspondent reports that the proposal for the New Parliament Building was made by Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, during the proceedings of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, on 5th August last year.
The New Parliament Building will be modern, state-of-the-art and energy efficient, with highly non-obtrusive security facilities to be built as a triangular shaped building, adjacent to the present Parliament. Lok Sabha will be three times of the existing size and Rajya Sabha will be substantially bigger. The interiors of the new building will showcase a rich blend of Indian culture and diversity of regional arts, crafts, textiles and architecture. The design plan includes space for a magnificent Central Constitutional Gallery, which will be accessible to the public. The construction of New Parliament Building will utilize resource efficient green technology, promote environment friendly practices, generate employment opportunities and contribute towards economic revitalization. It will have high quality acoustics and audio-visual facilities, improved and comfortable seating arrangements, effective and inclusive emergency evacuation provisions.