G20 Summit venue Pragati Maidan likely to be ready by Jan 15

Convention centre will have capacity to accommodate 7,000 people, separate floor for G20 leaders and complex for PM.

Work underway at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. (Express photo by Abhinav Saha)

As India gets ready to take over the presidency of the G20 from December 1, works are in full swing at the main venue for the summit, Pragati Maidan.

The redeveloped Pragati Maidan exhibition-cum-convention centre will be ready by January 15, officials said.

While the summit will be held in September 2023, around 200 meetings of officials from 19 countries and the European Union, which comprise the G20, will be held starting December.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating a tunnel and five underpasses at Pragati Maidan on 19/6/22, Sunday. (Express/File photo by Abhinav Saha)

The summit and some other meetings in the run-up to it will be held at the redeveloped convention centre.

According to officials, the convention centre works will be completed by December 31 and arrangements for food and beverages will be ready by January 15, 2023.

Around 150 existing structures, including the Hall of Nations designed by architect Raj Rewal and opened to mark 25 years of Independence in 1972, were demolished as part of the redevelopment plan.

With a view of India Gate, the elliptical-shaped convention centre, built on an elevated podium, is spread over 53,399 square metres.

Story continues below this ad

While it has an aggregate capacity of 11,450 people, the convention centre can accommodate up to 7,000 in one floor. This is a big increase from the government’s another convention facility in New Delhi, Vigyan Bhawan, which has a capacity of 1,200, an official said.

Of its five levels, one level in the convention centre with a leaders’ lounge, dining room and two auditoriums with 900 and 600 capacity each will be dedicated to G20 leaders, according to source.

A separate complex of 25 rooms for meetings and seminars will be available for the Prime Minister.

A 3,000-capacity amphitheatre, six exhibition halls and parking for 4,800 cars will also be arranged. Helipads on the roof of the convention centre have also been planned for the visiting dignitaries.

Story continues below this ad

The project, which is being overseen by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and executed by NBCC (India) Ltd, began in 2017 and was supposed to be completed by 2019. The project deadline was extended a few times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons.

The contract for the redevelopment works in over 83 acres was awarded to the joint venture of Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Pvt Ltd and Shapoorji Pallonji Qatar W.L.L. on September 8, 2017 for Rs 2,149.92 crore.

According to sources, the progress of the project is being monitored on a regular basis by ministers and senior officials.

Damini Nath

Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. Expertise Key Coverage Areas: Damini Nath currently specializes in reporting on two crucial beats: Housing and Urban Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis and reporting on India's urban development, policy, and housing issues. Election Commission (EC): Offering authoritative coverage of electoral processes, policies, and the functioning of India's constitutional body responsible for conducting elections. Professional Background: Her extensive experience includes roles as a reporter and sub-editor, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the journalistic process from fieldwork to final production. Previous Role: Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she served as a dedicated reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau, where her reporting portfolio included: Culture Social Justice Housing and Urban Affairs The Election Commission beat (a consistent area of focus). Trustworthiness Damini Nath's decade-plus career at two of India's most respected and authoritative news institutions, The Indian Express and The Hindu, underscores her commitment to factual, impartial, and high-quality reporting, establishing her as a trusted and credible source for news on urban governance and electoral matters. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram