Maha Vista Project: Will push redevelopment of Vidhan Bhawan with capacity for 350 MLAs, says Rahul Narvekar

Paperless proceedings in two years, central hall to be built in Nagpur legislative campus

Narvekar also said he understands that MLAs are without MLA hostel accommodation for six years now as the redevelopment of Majestic and Manora MLA hostels is underway.

Narvekar said he understands that MLAs are without MLA hostel accommodation for six years now as the redevelopment of Majestic and Manora MLA hostels is underway. (File Image)

Taking charge as the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker for the second consecutive term on Monday, BJP leader and MLA from South Mumbai’s Colaba constituency Rahul Narvekar has already set his eyes on kick-starting the ambitious Maha Vista Project, which includes the redevelopment of state legislative buildings to house more legislators. Narvekar also said the entire functioning of the legislature will be digitised within the next two years.

“It will be the redevelopment of the legislative campus in Mumbai where an Assembly with increased capacity of up to 350 MLAs will be built. The project will soon be undertaken on priority,” he said. He was speaking after being unanimously elected as the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker unopposed for the second term.

Narvekar said he plans to construct a central hall at the Nagpur legislative campus. “There is no central hall in Nagpur and I think it should be built. I will push for its construction at Nagpur,” he said.

The present strength of Maharashtra Assembly is 288. The House can accommodate 305-310 MLAs with some changes in sitting arrangements. However, with delimitation exercise likely to happen by 2026, the strength of the Assembly may increase up to 350, an increase of at least 60 seats. A bigger House is going to be a necessity in the near future and the Maha Vista Project on the lines of Central Vista project in Delhi is set to get a big push.

According to sources, open spaces within the legislative campus, which were earlier with revenue and PWD, have now been transferred to the legislature. “A public road outside the legislative building has also been changed from development plan and is now in the name of legislature,” an official from the legislature office said.

The project was first announced in February 2024 by Deputy CM and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in his Budget speech. At an estimated cost of Rs 7,500 crore, the entire Mantralaya, ministers’ bungalows, new Secretariat and legislative complex is set to be revamped. In August, the state Public Works Department (PWD) floated a global tender seeking designs of ministers’ bungalows and Mantralaya.

Narvekar also said he understands that MLAs are without MLA hostel accommodation for six years now as the redevelopment of Majestic and Manora MLA hostels is underway. “The Majestic MLA hostel will be ready in one year while the Manora MLA hostel will be ready within two years,” he said.

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With screens installed on the desks of all MLAs, the Speaker said that entire legislative functioning will be made digital within the next two years. “From submitting questions to receiving answers from ministers’ offices, it will be a paperless building. The digital process will help the MLAs to come prepared as well,” he said.

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