Discover Key Facts about India's New Parliament Building
Unique Triangular Design: The new Parliament building stands out with its distinctive triangular shape, which is a reflection of the triangular plot of land it occupies. This architectural choice also pays homage to sacred geometries found in various religions. The design and materials used in the building are intended to harmonize with the old Parliament, creating a unified complex.
Spacious Interior: Covering a built-up area of 64,500 square meters across three floors, the new Parliament building offers ample space. The Lok Sabha chamber, accommodating up to 888 seats (increased from 543), can be expanded further to accommodate up to 1,272 seats. In the absence of the Central Hall, the Lok Sabha will serve as a venue for joint sessions of both Houses.
Multiple Ceremonial Entrances: To accommodate different dignitaries, the building features three ceremonial entrances. These entrances are designated for the President, Vice-President, Lok Sabha Speaker, and Prime Minister. Public access, including visitors on Parliament tours, is likely to be through the entrance on Parliament Street, adjacent to the Press Trust of India building.
Environmentally Conscious Construction: Constructed using environmentally friendly techniques, the new building aims to reduce electricity consumption by 30% compared to its predecessor. It incorporates rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems. Additionally, the design maximizes space efficiency and is expected to serve its purpose for the next 150 years, as per the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Earthquake-Resistant Structure: Designed in compliance with building codes, the new Parliament building is engineered to withstand earthquakes, given that Delhi falls under seismic zone-V. The government cited earthquake vulnerability as one of the reasons for replacing the existing Parliament building.
Lok Sabha Charm: The Lok Sabha chamber in the new building showcases a captivating peacock theme. The walls and ceilings are adorned with designs inspired by the feathers of India's national bird, complemented by teal carpets. Each bench in the Lok Sabha can accommodate two Members of Parliament, and individual touch screens are provided at every MP's desk.
Rajya Sabha Elegance: The Rajya Sabha chamber in the new building has been adorned with the lotus theme, reflecting grace and beauty. The chamber, featuring red carpets, can now accommodate 384 Members of Parliament, an increase from the previous capacity of 250. This enhanced capacity accounts for potential future expansions due to delimitation.
Constitution Hall: A prominent feature of the new building is the Constitution Hall, which chronicles the journey of Indian democracy. It serves as a dedicated space where the history and significance of the Indian Constitution are documented.
Comfortable Facilities for MPs: To cater to the needs of Members of Parliament, the building provides various amenities, including a lounge, dining hall, and library. Moreover, the central courtyard, featuring a banyan tree, offers a serene environment, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere within the premises.
Office Space There are six new committee rooms in the new building, as opposed to three in the old building. In addition, there are 92 rooms as offices for the Council of Ministers.
Material from across India For the interior and exterior of the building, construction materials have been brought in from across the country, including sandstone from Sarmathura in Dholpur and granite from Lakha village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Similarly, the wood used in the decor is from Nagpur and craftsmen from Mumbai have led the wooden architecture design. Bhadohi weavers from Uttar Pradesh have made the traditional hand-knotted carpets for the building.
Gandhi statue The 16-foot-tall bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, which has been the site of numerous protests and gatherings by MPs and photo-ops for students, will remain on the lawn between the old and new buildings. The statue, which was installed at the main entrance of the Parliament in 1993, was shifted during construction. Made by Padma Bhushan-awardee sculptor Ram V Sutar, the statue now faces the old building, near the entrance used by the Lok Sabha Speaker.
National symbols The building is replete with national symbols, including the national emblem — the Lion Capital of Ashoka — that weighs 9,500 kg and is 6.5 metres in height, and is visible from a distance. To support this massive bronze sculpture, a structure of 6,500 kg was constructed on top of the central foyer. At the entrance, the Ashoka chakra and the words ‘Satyameva Jayate’ have been carved in stone.
The cost of building it The cost of the new Parliament, however, remains unknown. The initial contract was given for Rs 861.9 crore to Tata Projects, but by the time the project started the cost revved up to Rs 971 crore. Since then, government officials say the cost has gone up to Rs 1,200 crore. This includes Rs 200 crore for the artwork procured by the Culture Ministry. The government is yet to announce the final completion cost.
Golden sceptre A golden sceptre, given to Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of Independence to mark the transfer of power from the British, will sit in the new Lok Sabha chamber, near the Speaker’s podium. This sceptre was given to him by priests from Tamil Nadu.
Going digital In line with the environment-friendly focus of the new Parliament, all records — House proceedings, questions and other business — are being digitised. Besides, tablets and iPads will become a norm.
Galleries in the building A gallery called ‘Shilp’ will exhibit textile installations from across India, along with pottery items made from the mitti of all Indian states. The gallery ‘Sthapatya’ will exhibit the iconic monuments of India, including those from the different states and UTs. Besides monuments, it also amalgamates yoga asanas.
vaastu shastra At all the entrances of the building, auspicious animals as guardian statues will be exhibited, based on their importance in Indian culture and vaastu shastra. These include the elephant, the horse, the eagle, the swan, and mythical creatures shardula and makara.
Recognising the workforce The contributions of around 60,000 workers — on-site and in various locations across the country — can be seen in the new building. Since the building was constructed during the pandemic, health clinics and vaccination camps were organised for the workers at the site and labour camps.
From recreational to a new House Before being selected as the site for the new Parliament building, the 9.5-acre plot opposite the old Parliament House was earmarked for “recreational use” in the Delhi Masterplan 2021. While it was supposed to be developed as a park, in reality the site was used for parking and to house utilities for the Parliament complex. The Delhi Development Authority changed the land-use of the plot to “Parliament House” in March 2020.
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