Parliament Groundbreaking ceremony today: PM Modi performed bhoomi pujan in front of 200 dignitaries.
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 :
New Parliament Building ''Greatest Tribute'' To Democracy: Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan
Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Thursday described the proposed new Parliament building in Delhi as the "greatest ever tribute" to democracy, and said the edifice would be a "true symbol of new, aspirational and self-reliant India of the 21st century," according to PTI.
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": Ratan Tata
Amidst Sanskrit chants by priests from the Sringeri Mutt in Karnataka, PM Modi performed rituals around a holy pyre. Priests from other religious faiths also offered prayers and blessing as the foundation stone was layer .
The current parliament building, built a century ago, has "served in shaping India", PM Modi said, adding, "It has undergone several renovations and security and technological upgradations, but it has reached its capacity. It is now seeking rest".
"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 at the foundation-laying ceremony of new Parliament building.
"New Parliament Building Will Be Testament To Self-Reliant India": PM
The new parliament building at the heart of Delhi will be a "symbol of a new and self-reliant India," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today. "It will be a rich testament to India's cultural heritage and symbolize the aspirations of a new India," PM Modi said at its groundbreaking ceremony, attended by around 200 dignitaries from home and abroad. The proposed four-storied building over 13 acres, a stone's throw from Rashtrapati Bhavan, is the cornerstone of the government's ambitious Rs 20,000-crore Central Vista project. There are plans to finish the building before the country's 75th Independence Day in 2022, but construction cannot begin yet as a legal challenge to the project is pending in the Supreme Court.
New Parliament building bears an eerie likeness to Pentagon: Congress's Jairam Ramesh tweets
Congress Rajya Sabha leader Jairam Ramesh said that the new Parliament building bears an eerie likeness to the Pentagon in Washington DC.
Parliament groundbreaking ceremony live: Democracy is India's soul, says PM Modi
- 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.
"Lord Basaveshwara ji's writings are even older than the Magna Carta. Centuries older... and gives great insight of how the rule of law and democratic practices ensured a free and equal society," says PM Modi.
Parliament groundbreaking ceremony live: Time has come to take India forward in a new Parliament building, says PM Modi- 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.
Parliament New Building Foundation live: "Emotional day for me; remember bowing down upon my first visit": PM Modi
"It was an emotional day for me when I had the opportunity to be a part of this temple of democracy. I remember bowing down upon my first visit.
"This is the very place where our leaders first sat after getting Independence. This was the very place where Babasaheb Ambedkar and his colleagues sat, worked-upon, and gave this country its Constitution."
"Today is a historic day. Today is a day that in ways is like the foundation stone of our India. And what could be a more beautiful way to celebrate our 75th year of Independence than to begin with our new Parliament building - our temple of democracy," said PM Modi.
PM Modi is currently adderessing the dignatories. Around 200 dignitaries, including Union Ministers, MPs, foreign envoys and religious leaders attended the function that was webcast live. Ratan Tata, whose Tata Projects has the contract for the new parliament building, was also present.
Parliament New Building Foundation live: New Parliament building is expected to be completed by August 2022
The proposed four-storied parliament building will cost nearly ₹ 1,000 crore and is expected to be completed in time for the country's 75th Independence Day in August 2022. The building will seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha Chamber with an option to increase to 1,224 Members during Joint Sessions. The Rajya Sabha chamber will have a seating capacity for 384 members.
Each Member of Parliament will be provided with a 40 sq m office space in the redeveloped Shram Shakti Bhawan, which will be completed by 2024. The new building will also showcase the country's glorious heritage, with contributions from artisans and sculptors from across the country.
Earlier today, PM Modi unveiled a plaque to mark the foundation stone laying ceremony of the New Parliament Building.
Parliament groundbreaking ceremony live: 6 priests from Sringeri Mutt in Karnataka performed ceremony
Six priests from the Sringeri Mutt in Karnataka performed the ceremony to mark the symbolic launch of the new parliament building as part of an ambitious Central Vista plan.
Around 200 dignitaries, including Union Ministers, Ministers of State, MPs, foreign envoys and religious leaders attended the function that was webcast live. Ratan Tata, whose Tata Projects is a part of the building plan, was also present.
Parliament New Building Foundation live: "History will also record...": Randeep Singh Surjewala to PM amid farmer protests
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala criticized PM Modi for ignoring the plight of farmers who have been camping in and around Delhi to repeal the farm laws. "History will also record that when the farmers are fighting for the rights for 16 days on the streets, then you were building a palace for yourself in the name of Central Vista," Mr Surjewala tweeted.
PM Modi performed the rituals around a holy pyre organized in a flower-decked marquee. Prominent invitees watched the ceremony.
PM Modi is attending the the groundbreaking ceremony for New Parliament complex.
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.
New building will match needs and aspirations of ''New India'': PMO
According to a release by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the new building is an intrinsic part of the vision of ''Aatmanirbhar Bharat'' and will be a landmark opportunity to build peoples'' Parliament for the first time after independence, one which will match the needs and aspirations of ''New India'' in the 75th anniversary of independence in 2022.
"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 release said.
The Central Vista project will be aligned along Rajpath - the 3 km road lined with parks on both sides that stretches from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate.
Central Vista project: Supreme Court has allowed ground-breaking ceremony with ridersThough 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.
Last week, the Supreme Court had pulled up the government, accusing it of "pushing forward aggressively" with the project when the decision in the matter is pending. "You can lay the foundation stone, you can carry on paperwork but no construction or demolition, no cutting down any trees," the court had said.
New Parliament complex to be built at an estimated cost of ₹ 971 crore
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.
The ceremony will begin at 12:55 pm, bhoomi poojan and the laying of foundation stone will take place at 1 pm. This will be followed with PM Modi's address to the people at 2.15 pm.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be laying the foundation stone for the new Parliament complex today. 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.