India’s parliamentary proceedings will relocate to a modern facility beginning tomorrow, bidding farewell to the iconic old parliament building that has stood for 96 years. The old structure, designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, has witnessed pivotal moments in Indian history, including the adoption of the Constitution.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the Lok Sabha, paid tribute to every brick of the old building, emphasizing the MPs’ entrance into the new edifice with renewed optimism. However, it’s worth noting that the historic parliament building will not meet the wrecking ball. Government sources confirm plans for its retrofitting to provide more functional spaces for parliamentary events, recognizing its significance as a national archaeological asset.

In 2021, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, underscored the need for repairing the existing structure and repurposing it. Additionally, the national archives will be relocated to the new parliament building, contributing to heritage-sensitive restoration efforts. Reports even suggest the conversion of a part of the old building into a museum.

The new parliament building, inaugurated by the Prime Minister in May, boasts the capacity to comfortably accommodate 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber. For joint sessions of both houses, up to 1,280 MPs can convene in the Lok Sabha chamber. The four-storey, triangular-shaped structure spans 64,500 square meters, featuring three main gates and separate entrances for VIPs, MPs, and visitors.

This transition marks a new chapter in the legacy of India’s parliamentary history, as the old parliament building steps into a new phase of preservation and rejuvenation.

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