3 min readNew DelhiJun 7, 2023 07:41 AM IST
First published on: Jun 6, 2023 at 07:54 AM IST
The new convention centre at the redeveloped Pragati Maidan, which is scheduled to host the G20 leaders’ summit in September, will not have a helipad on the roof, as was proposed earlier. Instead, solar panels will be installed on the rooftop in future.
The elliptical building was supposed to have a helipad on the roof as per the original design. In a promotional video released by the government in 2017, the planned helipad on the roof was described as a “fast and secure route for heads of states”.
A senior official of state-owned construction company NBCC India, which is executing the project, said the original design had included a helipad, but the feature was dropped due to the cost involved.
While considering the application for completion certificate of the convention centre, the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) on May 24 noted that the original design had changed since it approved the layout of the Pragati Maidan project on June 14, 2017. “The Commission noted that the provision of helipad on the terrace (as shown in the approved drawings) has been replaced with framework which may be used for solar panels in future, the same shall be ensured to be screened appropriately,” the DUAC noted in the minutes of the meeting.
The DUAC approved the no-objection certificate (NOC) for completion.
The DUAC meeting on May 24 was an “extraordinary meeting” as per the minutes, as opposed to regular scheduled meetings.
Work is still ongoing around the building and other parts of the Pragati Maidan site, but the building itself hosted the NITI Aayog governing council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on May 27. Announced on May 25, this was the first high-profile event to be held at the site since redevelopment began.
The convention centre is built on an elevated podium, giving visitors a view of India Gate. Spread over 53,399 square metres, the five-level centre has the capacity to accommodate 11,450 people. According to the India Trade Promotion Organisation, which owns the complex, the G20 summit would take place on level-2 of the building, in a meeting room of 655 square metres with fixed capacity of 157 and floating capacity of 72. The level will also have a leaders’ lounge, dining room, meeting rooms, and two auditoriums.
The project began in 2017 and had an initial deadline of 2019. Before the construction started, several existing structures, including the iconic Hall of Nations designed by architect Raj Rewal to mark 25 years of Independence, were demolished.
The project was awarded to Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Pvt Ltd and Shapoorji Pallonji Qatar W.L.L., in a joint venture, on September 8, 2017 for Rs 2,149.92 crore.
A helipad was proposed in the original design of the convention centre. (Screenshot/ PIB/ YouTube) 
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