New Delhi: The work on the New Parliament House project is likely to be completed by next year, while government agencies and contractors are working hard to complete the work by the end of this December.
It is learned that December 31 has been fixed as the revised deadline for some of the works and this has been done in recent review meetings of top officials of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Tata Projects and HCP Design, Planning and Management. I have come to the fore. , The ministry has sought project milestones from the contractor.
While the Lok Sabha Secretariat did not respond to questions on the deadline and whether any additional features are being added to the project, the HCP said the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) is in the best position to respond to the questions. Though the CPWD also did not respond to queries, an official said that they were still on the point that the project would be completed by the end of November so that the winter session could be held.
None of the entities responded to queries on the updated cost of the project. TOI had first reported in January that the updated cost of the project would be close to Rs 1,200 crore due to additional works. For this, Tata Projects was bid for Rs 971 crore.
Although the government had originally set the project deadline for its commissioning by last monsoon season, the timeline had to be revised due to various reasons including the Covid-19 pandemic and court orders. Officials said it would be an achievement to complete such a “complex project” even in two years.
Meanwhile, sources said the Lok Sabha Secretariat has sought installation of cameras with facial recognition facilities and an IT system at the entry points to ensure seamless entry of ministers and MPs (MPs). He said that a decision on this would be taken soon. Officials said such cameras with face recognition feature can identify individuals from a distance of 3-4 meters and thus ensure that the gates open automatically.
TOI also learned that the government may take a decision on whether the Red Cross Road can be opened to the public or movement will have to be restricted after the new Parliament building is commissioned, considering the security aspects.
