New Delhi, Dec 10 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the New Parliament Building would become a witness to the creation of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
'If the old Parliament building gave direction to post-independence India, the new building would become a witness to the creation of a Atmanirbhar Bharat,' Mr Modi said after laying the foundation stone of the New Parliament Building as part of an ambitious Central Vista plan at Sansad Marg, here.
'If work was done to fulfill the needs of the country in the old Parliament Building, then the aspirations of 21st century India will be fulfilled in the new building,' the Prime Minister said.
Talking about democracy, the Prime Minister said, 'India's democracy is a system developed through centuries of experience'.
"In many countries, voter turnout is declining; but in our country, it is on a steady rise. This is because in our democracy, we believe in solving differences through dialogue," Mr Modi said.
'We will have to take the pledge of 'India First',' he said.
'Our decisions should make country stronger and be measured on the same scale - that country's
welfare comes first. Our efforts in next 25-26 years should be towards how do we want to see India in 2047, in our 100 years of Independence,' the Prime Minister said.
The new building is an intrinsic part of the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and will be a landmark opportunity to build peoples' Parliament for the first time after independence, one which will match the needs and aspirations of 'New India' in the 75th anniversary of independence in 2022.
The New Parliament Building will be modern, state-of-the-art and energy efficient, with highly non-obtrusive security facilities to be built as a triangular-shaped building, adjacent to the present Parliament.
Lok Sabha will be three times of the existing size and the Rajya Sabha will be substantially bigger.
The interiors of the new building will showcase a rich blend of Indian culture and diversity of our regional arts, crafts, textiles and architecture.
The design plan includes space for a magnificent Central Constitutional Gallery, which will be accessible to the public.
The construction of New Parliament Building will utilise the resource-efficient green technology, promote environment-friendly practices, generate employment opportunities and contribute towards economic revitalisation.
The four-storied New Parliament Building would be built in an area of 64500 sq m at an estimated cost of Rs 971 crore.
It is proposed to hold the Winter Session of Parliament in the New Parliament Building when the nation celebrates 75 years of Independence.
Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court had pulled up the Centre for continuing with the Central Vista project even as the judgement on the plea against it is awaited.
However, the top court permitted the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the new Parliament by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 10 while noting that no construction, demolition or felling of trees shall take place at the site as of now.
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