New Parliament Building: Features of New Parliament House New Delhi
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
New Parliament Building is a state of the art facility that was inaugurated on May 28, 2023. The building is located in the heart of New Delhi, and it is designed to accommodate the growing needs of the Indian Parliament. New Parliament Building has a seating capacity of 1,272, and it includes a number of modern amenities, such as a library, a conference hall, and a number of committee rooms. The building is also equipped with a number of security features, such as a bulletproof glass dome and a sophisticated security system.
The construction of the New Parliament Building was a major undertaking, and it took over two years to complete. The building was designed by a team of architects led by Bimal Patel, and it was built by a consortium of Indian companies. The total cost of the project was ₹862 crore (US$110 million). The New Parliament House is a symbol of the growing economic and political power of India. It is a testament to the country’s commitment to democracy and its vision for the future.
Table of content
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1.
New Parliament Building
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2.
Design of the New Parliament Building
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3.
Timeline of Construction of New Parliament
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4.
Rajya Sabha Chamber of New Parliament House
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5.
Lok Sabha Chamber of New Parliament House
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6.
Inauguration of the New Parliament of India
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7.
Sengol in New Parliament of India
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8.
Salient Features of New Parliament House
New Parliament Building
New Parliament Building in New Delhi was inaugurated on May 28, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is situated on the Central Vista, a 3 km long ceremonial avenue that connects Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President’s House, to India Gate, a war memorial. It is designed to accommodate the growing number of Parliament members and provide a more modern and efficient space for legislative deliberations. New Parliament Building is also environmentally friendly, incorporating sustainable features like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems.
The New Parliament House is a vast, triangular-shaped complex that is three times larger than the old Parliament building with a total built-up area of 20,866 m2. It has a seating capacity of 888 in the Lok Sabha chamber and 384 in the Rajya Sabha chamber. The new building is designed to be energy efficient. The construction of the new Parliament House was a major undertaking, and it was completed in just two years. The new building represents India’s increasing strength and influence, serving as a powerful symbol of the country’s dedication to democracy.
Design of the New Parliament Building
New Parliament Building is a triangular structure with a built-up area of about 65,000 sq. mt. The building is designed to cater to the increasing number of Parliament members and offer them modern facilities. The building is designed by Bimal Patel, an Indian Architect. The New Parliament House has two chambers: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. In the New Parliament Building, the Lok Sabha chamber can hold up to 888 seats, and the Rajya Sabha chamber can hold up to 384 seats. Furthermore, during joint sessions, the Lok Sabha chamber can expand its capacity up to 1,272 seats.
New Parliament Building is inspired by traditional Indian architecture. It features three entrances that have distinct names i.e. Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar. The building is made of sandstone and granite, adorned with detailed carvings. It features modern infrastructure and technology like smart displays, biometrics, and digital language interpretation and recording systems. New Parliament House also showcases traditional Indian arts and crafts, including classical, folk, and tribal styles. The National Emblem is placed on top of the new Parliament building.
Timeline of Construction of New Parliament
The New Parliament building in India went through several important stages before its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, 2023. Here is a simplified timeline of the construction process:
- September 2019: The Government of India plans the redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue.
- September 2020: Tata Projects Ltd is awarded the contract for constructing the new parliament building.
- October 2020: HCP Design Planning and Management Pvt Ltd are chosen for architectural consultancy.
- December 10, 2020: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for the new parliament building.
- July 11, 2022: Prime Minister Modi unveils the national emblem statue on top of the new Parliament building.
- August 28, 2022: The main structure of the new Parliament completed.
- January 5, 2023: The Lok Sabha Secretariat begins preparing new identity cards for Ministers of Parliament to access the new Parliament building.
- January 31, 2023: The CPWD invites bids for mechanized housekeeping of the new Parliament building.
- May 18, 2023: Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah announces the inauguration date of the New Parliament Building.
- May 20, 2023: The construction of the New Parliament Building is fully completed.
- May 28, 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurates the New Parliament Building.
Rajya Sabha Chamber of New Parliament House
The Rajya Sabha Chamber in the New Parliament House of India is a spacious and impressive area designed to accommodate the 384 members of the Rajya Sabha. Here are some key features of the Rajyasabha Chamber of the New Parliament House:
- Location: The chamber is situated on the first floor of the New Parliament Building.
- Seating Capacity: It can seat all 384 members of the Rajya Sabha.
- Modern Amenities: Equipped with a large video screen, sound system, and translation system.
- Design Inspiration: The chamber draws inspiration from the national flower, the lotus.
- Traditional Decor: The walls and ceiling are adorned with intricate carvings and paintings in a traditional Indian style.
- Symbolic Elements: The chamber houses important symbols of the Indian Parliament, such as the Ashoka Chakra, the national emblem of India.
Lok Sabha Chamber of New Parliament House
The Lok Sabha Chamber in the New Parliament House is a big rectangular hall, designed with inspiration from the old Parliament House. Check some of the important details of the Lok Sabha Chamber of the New Parliament House below:
- Capacity: The chamber can accommodate 888 members, with an additional 1,272 seats for joint sessions.
- Design: The chamber features sandstone walls, a marble floor, and a ceiling adorned with a mural depicting India’s history.
- Inspiration: The design takes inspiration from India’s national bird, the peacock.
- Modern Facilities: Equipped with state-of-the-art amenities including a video conferencing system, translation system, and voting system.
- Security Features: The chamber includes metal detectors and CCTV cameras for enhanced security.
- Significance: The Lok Sabha Chamber holds great importance in the Indian Parliament as it serves as a platform for representing the people of India and plays a crucial role in the legislative process.
Inauguration of the New Parliament of India
The New Parliament of India was inaugurated on May 28, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new building is located in the Central Vista area of New Delhi, and it is designed to accommodate the growing size and complexity of the Indian Parliament. The ceremonies started in the morning when Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a plaque dedicating the new parliament building to the nation. He addressed a gathering of lawmakers during this event.
As a part of the inauguration, a special gold scepter called the “Sengol” was installed in the New Parliament Building. The inauguration was marked with Hindu rituals, and the Sengol became a significant symbol representing the purpose of the New Parliament House. It signifies the intention to move away from India’s colonial past and gradually replace the secular governance that followed it.
Sengol in New Parliament of India
The Sengol is a special scepter that was given to the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1947 as a gift before the Independence of India. It was presented by the Adheenams of Tamil Nadu to symbolize the transfer of power from the British to the Indian people. Made of gold-plated iron, the Sengol is about 1.5 feet long and adorned with symbols like the sun, moon, and stars.
During the inauguration of the New Parliament House on May 28, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed the Sengol near the chair of the Lok Sabha Speaker. It holds great historical significance, representing the shift from colonial rule to Indian self-governance, and its installation during the ceremony signifies India’s journey toward independence and its determination to move beyond its colonial past.
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Salient Features of New Parliament House
The New Parliament Building of India is a state-of-the-art facility that is designed to meet the needs of the Indian Parliament for the next 150 years. It is located in the Central Vista area of New Delhi, and it was inaugurated on May 29, 2023. Here are some of the salient features of the New Parliament Building:
- Location: New Parliament House is situated in the Central Vista area of New Delhi.
- Inauguration: It was inaugurated on May 29, 2023.
- Legislative Chambers: The building features spacious chambers for the Lok Sabha (888 seats) and the Rajya Sabha (384 seats).
- Advanced Audio-Visual Systems: State-of-the-art audio-visual systems are installed for enhanced communication and collaboration.
- Environmentally Friendly: The building is designed to be sustainable, using eco-friendly materials and energy-saving features.
- Inspiring Architecture: The modern structure reflects India’s democratic values while incorporating elements of its rich history and culture.
- Earthquake Resistance: Constructed with earthquake resistant design principles, the building can withstand strong shocks up to Zone 5, considering Delhi’s Zone 4 seismic risk.
