New Delhi: The demolition of Udyog Bhawan, one of the prominent government office complexes in the Central Vista area, has commenced as part of the Centre’s ambitious redevelopment programme, an official has said.
The dismantling of Udyog Bhawan, constructed in the late 1950s, follows the demolition of neighbouring Nirman Bhawan in May.
Both structures were built during the post-Independence expansion of the Central Secretariat and had housed several key ministries for decades.
With the implementation of the Central Vista project, ministries operating from the two buildings have largely been shifted to three newly constructed Kartavya Bhawans.
Under the Central Vista redevelopment project, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs plans to construct 10 buildings as part of the Common Central Secretariat to house various ministries.
Buildings such as Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan, constructed between 1950 and 1970, are also set to be demolished, while a few buildings are likely to be retained.
These include the National Museum, National Archives, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan (External Affairs Ministry), and Dr Ambedkar Auditorium, which are new buildings. Vanijya Bhawan is also likely to be retained.
Under the plan, the government has already constructed a new Parliament building, the Vice President’s Enclave, and redeveloped the Kartavya Path that spans from Vijay Chowk to India Gate.
Besides the Common Central Secretariat, the government will also construct an Executive Enclave that will house a new Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat, India House, and National Security Council Secretariat.
Under the second phase of the Executive Enclave, a new Prime Minister’s residence will be constructed.
