• Presented in an FAQ format with pictures are reasons why a new Parliament House is being made in New Delhi and its Benefits. 

Whenever something path breaking and new is being made there is both curiosity and controversy. I too had questions why a new Parliament House. A good friend suggested I visit the New Parliament website  I found answers. At esamskriti we believe in selfless sharing so presenting as FAQ with pictures.

At the outset I must state that information and pictures are courtesy and copyright the Ministry of Urban and Housing Affairs, New Delhi. I have only compiled.

Background

“The power of the Indian democratic system manifests in our Parliament, which weathered the Indian freedom struggle from colonial rule and witnessed many historical milestones. The existing building served as independent India’s first Parliament and witnessed the adoption of the Constitution of India. Thus, conserving and rejuvenating the rich heritage of the Parliament building is a matter of national importance.”

It is a myth that democracy is a colonial gift. Read Concept of Elections and Democracy in Vedas and Dharma Sastras

Q1. When was Parliament House built and who designed it?

A1. “India’s present Parliament House was designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, which took six years to construct (1921-1927). Originally called the Council House, the building housed the Imperial Legislative Council. The Parliament building witnessed the addition of two floors in 1956 to address the demand for more space. In 2006, the Parliament Museum was added to showcase the 2,500 years of rich democratic heritage of India. The building had to be modified to a large extent to suit the purpose of a modern Parliament.”

When the building was designed around 1920 India was under British rule. None thought India would get independence in 27 years and become a full-fledged democracy. So the Council House, as it was then called, was naturally designed accordingly.

Q2. Why does the Parliament House have a circular shape?

A2. “It is popularly believed that the circular shape of the Chausath Yogini temple in Morena, (Madhya Pradesh) had inspired the design of the Council House, though there are no historical proofs for this.” Note that Chausath Yogini Temples near Jabalpur and Bhubaneshwar are round. 

Mitawali Mandir, Morena. 

To see album of Mitawali Mandir Morena When I visited Aihole Temples in Karnataka was told that the semi-circular shape of the Durg Temple inspired the circular shape of Parliament House.

Durg Mandir, Aihole. 

To see album of Durg Temple, Ailhole Aihole is considered the cradle of Indian Temple architecture.

Morena has numerous temples that pre-date Khajuraho and believed to have inspired them. See mind-boggling Padavali Temple , restored Bateshwar Temples and Hidden Temples of Morena

Q3. How old is the existing Parliament House?

A3. It was commissioned in 1927. Any 95 year old building will have structural issues so better to be pro-active and look ahead. 

Q4. How many members were there when the Imperial Council (Parliament) House was made in 1927?

A4.  Prior to independence, the number of members in the Imperial Legislative Council was 145 (starting 1919) and 60 Members of the Council of States (today’s RS). Source Wikipedia

Think of Indian Parliament in 1927, 1952 and 2023. India had 489 Lok Sabha members in 1952 compared to 543 today. As of December 2022 the Rajya Sabha has 245 members. LS+RS = 788 members.

Design of new Parliament building.

Lay-out of old and new houses.

The Old and New Parliament House can work together as an ensemble. 

Q5. Can current Parliament House meet the needs?

A5. Over the years the parliamentary activities and number of people working and visitors have increased.

“With increasing demand for workspaces, inner service corridors were converted into offices which resulted in poor quality and narrow workspaces.”

“There is no record or document of the original design of the building. Therefore, the new constructions and modifications have been done in an ad-hoc manner. For example, two new storeys constructed in 1956 over the outer circular part of the building hid the dome of the Central Hall and changed the facade of the original building. Further, the coverings of Jaali windows have reduced the natural light in the halls of two houses of the Parliament. Therefore, it is showing signs of distress and over-utilization and is not able to meet the current requirements in terms of space, amenities and technology.”

A much bigger Lok Sabha. 

Ample sitting space in Rajya Sabha. 

Q6. Will the number of Lok Sabha seats be going up?

A6. “The number of Lok Sabha seats has remained unaltered at 545 based on the delimitation carried out on the basis of 1971 Census. It is likely to increase after 2026 as the freeze on total number of seats is only till 2026.” 

Q7. How many seats are expected to be there post 2026 delimitation?

A7. Lok Sabha 888 seats (current 543) and Rajya Sabha 384 (current 245). The new house will have a capacity of 1272 seats as against 788 today. 

It is better to be pro-active and build ahead of 2026.

Q8. What about the seating arrangement in the current Parliament?

A8. “The seating arrangements are cramped and cumbersome, with no desks beyond the second row. The Central Hall has seating capacity only for 440 persons. When the Joint Sessions are held, the problem of limited seats amplifies. Due to limited space for movement, it is also a huge security risk.”

I remember a TV program where Minister Hardip Puri said that there is inadequate space to keep legs, thus members with knee problems would find it hard to sit for long hours in Parliament.

Q9. What about Additional Services required to support functioning of Parliament? 

A9. “Over the period addition in services like water supply lines, sewer lines, air conditioning, fire-fighting, CCTV, Audio Video system, which were not originally planned, have led to seepages and destroyed the overall aesthetics of the building. The fire safety is a major concern as the building is not designed according to the present fire norms. Numerous new electric cables have been put up which are potential fire hazard.”

Q10. What about Communication infrastructure?

A10. “In the present Parliament House, the communications infrastructure and technology is antiquated. The acoustics of all the halls need major improvement.”

“There are structural safety concerns of the building. The current Parliament building was built when Delhi was in Seismic Zone-II, currently it is in Seismic Zone-IV.”

Q11. Such capital intensive projects have other benefits too?

A11. As on 7/4/2023 the project has generated 23,04,095 work days, consumed 26,045 MT of steel and 63,807 MT of cement. The project is also generating employment. Consumption of core sector items like steel and cement has a multiplier effect on the economy. Source

Is it not better to spend money on such projects that create lasting fixed assets, than give way doles or subsidy to the undeserving? 

Q12. What are the new communication facilities?

A12.

Q13. Any more key information?

A13. According to the Times of India report, the new building would cost Rs 970 crores. The theme of the building would be to showcase India’s cultural diversity. It would also incorporate regional crafts and art. It will be made accessible for the differently-abled. 

Do we want a Parliament House that makes us proud? As compared to elephants and snakes that India was associated with in the 20^th century!

Q14. Here are pictures of the new Parliament House

State of the art Constitutional Hall.

Modern office spaces. 

Sophisticated Audio-Visual systems. 

Revamped Sansad Bhawan. 

A superior Library experience. 

An embodiment of Indian Heritage. 

The Central Lounge. 

Also read

1. Know the Vastu Significance of the Triangle Shaped building

2. About Satyameva Jayete - The statement ‘Satyameva Jayate' is actually in the opening line of a four-line mantra from the 'MUNDAKA Upanishad' which is found in the Atharva Veda