New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the foundation stone for new parliament building on the central vista on Thursday near India gate at New Delhi. The new parliament building is the key piece of the ₹ 20,000-crore Central Vista project, which aims to build and refurbish the government buildings on part of the 13.4-km Rajpath that stretches from the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan to the iconic war memorial India Gate. The ceremony will begin at 12:55 pm, bhoomi poojan and the laying of foundation stone will take place at 1 pm. The Prime Minister will address the people at 2.15 pm.

The proposed four-storied building would sprawl over an area of 64,500 sq meters and cost an estimated ₹ 971 crore. The construction is expected to be completed in time for the country’s 75th Independence Day in August 2022. The proposed building at Central vista will have seating capacity for 888 members in the Lok Sabha Chamber with an option to increase to 1224 Members during Joint Sessions. The Rajya Sabha chamber will have a seating capacity for 384 members. The increased capacity has been made in view of future. At present, the Lok Sabha has a sanctioned strength of 543 members and Rajya Sabha 245.

Each Member of Parliament will be provided with a 40 sq m office space in the redeveloped Shram Shakti Bhawan, which will be completed by 2024. The new building will also showcase the country’s glorious heritage, with contributions from artisans and sculptors from across the country. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the existing building, however, cannot be upgraded to accommodate modern communication, security and earthquake safety without causing damage to the 93-year-old structure. It will be conserved as it is an archaeological asset of the country.