Here’s how new Lok Sabha chamber will look, govt publishes photos

Design of the new Parliament building. The new building has been built adjacent to the existing Parliament House. (Photo credit: centralvista.gov.in)

The project missed its deadline of November 2022 but ministry officials now say it will be ready by the end of January. The government, however, is yet to announce if the Budget Session will begin in the new building or if the second part of the session would be held in it.

Rajya Sabha Hall in the New Parliament. The interior of the Upper House is Lotus themed. (Photo Credit: centralvista.gov.in)

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has issued tenders this week to get the new Parliament ready, including a Rs.9.29 crore tender for developing the plot for services on Raisina Road and Red Cross Road and a Rs.24.65 crore tender for mechanised housekeeping of the new building for 36 months.

The project was awarded to Tata Projects for Rs.861.9 crore in 2020. However, the cost has increased to at least Rs.1,200 crore, sources said. One of the reasons has been the increase in the GST on construction, which was revised from 12% to 18% in 2022, an official said.

The new Lok Sabha chamber, with 888 setas, has peacock-themed interiors.
(Photo: centralvista.gov.in)

The building, designed by Ahmedabad-based HCP Design, Planning and Management, led by architect Bimal Patel, has been built adjacent to the existing Parliament House. The construction began in January 2021, with Tata Projects as the CPWD’s contractor. The new Lok Sabha chamber has 888 seats and the capacity to accommodate even more MPs should the strength of the House increase with future delimitations, and the Rajya Sabha chamber has 384 seats. The interiors of the Upper House are lotus themed, while the Lok Sabha has peacock motifs. New building does not have a Central Hall, like the one in the existing Parliament, instead the Lok Sabha chamber will be used for joint sessions.

As per MoHUA’s Central Vista website, the new Parliament “will have extensive use of wooden structure…rooted in traditional motifs and elements…” The floors of the new building would have “hand-knotted carpets from Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh…”

Blueprint of the new Parliament building. (Photo credit: centralvista.gov.in)

A commitee room in the new Parliament building. As per MoHUA’s Central Vista website, the new Parliament will have extensive use of wooden structure. (Photo credit: centralvista.gov.in)

Sansad Bhavan. (Photo credit: centralvista.gov.in)