The laying of the foundation of the new Parliament building will be remembered as a "proud day for all 130 crore Indians", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, adding that the new building will be a "symbol of a new and self-reliant India".
Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony of new Parliament building, the Prime Minister said that inauguration of the construction work of the new Parliament House of India is one of the most important stages of our democratic tradition.
"If the old Parliament House gave direction to post-independence India, the new building would become a witness to the creation of ''Atmanirbhar Bharat''. If work is done to fulfill the needs of the country in the old Parliament House, then the aspirations of 21st century India will be fulfilled in the new building," he said.
Earlier today, PM Modi today performed ground-breaking ceremony of the new parliament building in a grand ceremony attended by over 200 dignitaries, including Union Ministers, Ministers of State, MPs, foreign envoys and religious leaders. Ratan Tata, whose Tata Projects is a part of the building plan, was also present.
The new parliament building is the key piece of the ₹ 20,000-crore Central Vista project, which aims to build and refurbish the government buildings on part of the 3 km Rajpath that stretches from the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan to the iconic war memorial India Gate. The construction cannot begin for now with the Supreme Court hearing petitions challenging the project.
The proposed four-storied building would sprawl over an area of 64,500 sq meters and cost an estimated ₹ 971 crore. The construction is expected to be completed in time for the country's 75th Independence Day in August 2022.
Here are the updates on foundation of new Parliament complex :
Ms Soundararajan, who participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new Parliament building virtually, lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
She expressed hope that the new building would further strengthen the democratic ideals of the country, which is considered the most ancient and largest democracy in the world, she said.
"It is an impressive project and I wish it all success. I am privileged to be invited to the foundation stone laying ceremony," says Ratan Tata, Chairman Tata Trusts'
- ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2020
Tata Projects Ltd has been given contract for the construction project of the new Parliament building. pic.twitter.com/UJHpa2jwdI
"New Parliament Building Will Be Testament To Self-Reliant India": PMWell, the existing Parliament building built by the Brits bears a remarkable similarity to the Chausath Yogini Temple in Morena in Madhya Pradesh, while the new 'atmanirbhar' Parliament building bears an eerie likeness to the Pentagon in Washington DC. pic.twitter.com/Hy2u6fzlms
- Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 10, 2020
"If we keep the country's best interests in mind, and pledge to move towards a better India, we will not only improve our present, but also build a brighter future," says PM Modi after laying foundation stone of new Parliament building #centralvista pic.twitter.com/95Ui3gjetu
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 10, 2020
- In India democracy is a tradition, it is a cultural necessity and has a cultural value. It is a jeevan tatva, a jeevan tantra and a jeevan mantra.
- Democracy is India's soul. But today, democracy is spoken about as a western concept. But it has been so in India for thousands of years.
- That day will come when the entire world will acknowledge and say with conviction that "India is the mother of Democracy! India is the morhter of democracy! India is the mother of democracy!"
- Our democracy has always moved ahead with the thought that while there is always space for different thoughts and ideologies, but let there never be indifference.
- Our every decision, our every thought and our every act must always be keeping the nation's benefit in mind.
- This historic building, built a century ago, has served in shaping India. It has undergone several renovations and security and technological upgradations, but it has reached its capacity. It is now seeking rest.
- Time has come to take India forward in a new Parliament building. One with a better seating capacity and latest technology.
- If the current Parliament building is one that gave direction to an Independent India since 1947, then the new Parliament will prove to be a testament to a new and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Just like the National War Memorial next to India Gate made its mark, this new Parliament will also be a symbol of an Atma-Nirbhar Bharat and take the nation forward.
#WATCH: 'Sarva Dharma Prarthana' being performed by various religious leaders at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new Parliament building, in Delhi. https://t.co/6NDd8e8B3p pic.twitter.com/1DRGf37tJV
- ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2020
Delhi: Foundation stone laying ceremony of the new Parliament building is underway.
- ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2020
Tata Trusts' Chairman Ratan Tata, Union Minister HS Puri, Dy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh & various religious leaders also present
Tata Projects Ltd has been given contract for the project pic.twitter.com/geeGWik99N
Though the groundbreaking ceremony will be held today, actual construction cannot begin immediately. The decision will be taken after the Supreme Court decides on a petition challenging the project.
