Delhi Master Plan change paves way for Central Vista development

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday notified change in land use in Master Plan for Delhi 2021 paving way for redevelopment of Central Vista and construction of a new Parliament building and common secretariat.

The land use for seven plots measuring 90 acres in the heart of Delhi has been changed to accommodate a district park, office buildings for ministries and a new Parliament. The gazette notification follows a meticulous process under which Delhi Development Authority (DDA) called for objections on the land use change. A board of inquiry and hearing was constituted to address the objections. DDA admitted 1,292 objections and suggestions.

The plan would be to have the new Parliament on a 9.5 acre plot opposite the present Parliament. The Central Vista houses Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North and South Block, India Gate and National Archives. All the iconic buildings were constructed before 1931, the year in which the new capital was inaugurated. The other office buildings were built on various plots subsequently to address the office requirements of central ministries in an unplanned manner. Parliament House building came up in 1927 and is declared heritage building.

The Hutments, which occupy huge area in the Central Vista, came up as temporary structures during World War II. These would now give way for more planned features as part of the common secretariat and district park.