Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new parliament building despite opposition parties boycotting the event, insisting that President Droupadi Murmu should perform the inauguration. Here’s a 10-point summary of the key details:
- Prime Minister Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducted a puja (religious ceremony) upon reaching the new parliament building at 7:30 am. After the puja, the Prime Minister paid respects to the historic sceptre ‘sengol’.
- The ‘sengol’ was handed over to the Prime Minister by Adheenam seers, who blessed him on this significant occasion. The Prime Minister then carried the sceptre to the Lok Sabha chamber and placed it beside the Speaker’s chair.
- The Prime Minister honored a group of construction workers who contributed to the construction of the new parliament building.
- Representatives from various religions conducted ‘sarv-dharma’ (all faith) prayers.
- The old parliament building, completed in 1927, is now 96 years old and no longer met the current requirements.
- The new parliament building can accommodate 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 members in the Rajya Sabha chamber. The Lok Sabha chamber can accommodate up to 1,280 MPs during joint sessions.
- The materials used in the construction of the new building were sourced from different parts of the country, including teak wood from Maharashtra’s Nagpur and red and white sandstone from Sarmathura in Rajasthan.
- Reflecting India’s diverse culture, the new parliament building features carpets from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, bamboo flooring from Tripura, and stone carvings from Rajasthan. The government has also announced a commemorative ₹ 75 coin to mark this historic event.
- Constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, the new parliament building includes a grand constitution hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for MPs, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas, and ample parking space.
- The triangular-shaped four-storey building spans 64,500 square metres and has three main gates – Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar. Separate entrances are provided for VIPs, MPs, and visitors.
