New Delhi: Even as the clamour for halting the Central Vista project intensifies, Prof KK Pandey, an urban affairs expert, on Friday criticized such calls and suggested that the work must continue.
In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, KK Pandey, professor (urban management) and coordinator, Centre for Urban Studies, Indian Institute of Public Administration, said there is no meaning in halting the project or diverting the money allocated for Central Vista to COVID-19 work.
"The government has already allocated a huge amount of money for vaccination apart from taking several other steps to fight the pandemic. In fact, the ongoing Central Vista work has given employment to thousands of people,” he said.
The Narendra Modi government had in the last budget announced additional funds to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore for vaccination purpose.
Also read: 12 Oppn leaders write to PM, demand free mass vaccination, suspension of Central Vista project
Earlier on Friday, Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri said the cost of Central Vista is about Rs 20,000 crore and it will be spent over several years. "The Government of India has allocated nearly twice that amount for vaccination. India’s healthcare budget for just this year was over Rs 3 lakh crore," he said.
The Central Vista project envisages several components which will be taken up over the next few years. So far, works pertaining to only the new Parliament building and rejuvenation of Central Vista avenue have been awarded at an estimated cost of Rs 862 crore and Rs 477 crore respectively.
More public space with refurbished lawns, paved walkways along Rajpath, improved landscape, clean canals, adequate public amenities, vending areas, public performance facilities, safe road crossings and non-disruptive facilities for public events are among the components under the Central Vista project.
Besides the new Parliament building, the redevelopment of Central Vista envisages a common central secretariat, revamping the 3 km Rajpath from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, a new residence for the prime minister, a new Prime Minister's Office and a new Vice President's enclave. The new Parliament building will house larger Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha halls.
"The project will be ready in time to host the Republic Day Parade in the 75th year of Indian independence," Puri said.
Also read: Centre should use Central Vista project funds for vaccination against COVID-19, says Yechury
Puri's statement comes after senior CPM leader Sitaram Yechury criticized the central government over the project. Yechury had on Thursday demanded that the money allocated for the mega project be diverted towards vaccinating people. Several other Opposition parties, including the Congress, have demanded that the Central Vista project be halted. The project aims to redevelop a 3.2-km stretch, lying at the heart of Lutyens Delhi and built by the British in the 1930s.
The avenue redevelopment work under the Central Vista project has been awarded to Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Private Limited at a cost of Rs 477 crore whereas the new Parliament building is being constructed by Tata Projects Ltd at an estimated cost of Rs 862 crore.
"The work has already been allocated to the construction companies. If the government halts the work due to the prevailing pandemic, its costs will increase when the work resumes. And that will have an effect on the common taxpayers,” Pandey said. The Central Vista project began on December 10 last year.
