• Source:JND
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Union ministries and departments currently located in North Block and Nirman Bhawan, buildings that have served for nearly 100 years and around 60 years respectively, are expected to begin relocating to the new Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings 1, 2, and 3 by August. 

The remaining CCS buildings are proposed to be constructed on the sites currently occupied by Nirman Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, and the National Museum, all of which are expected to be demolished to make way for the new complex.

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Central Government Buildings Under Redevelopment  

Built as part of the central government’s broader plan to redevelop the Central Vista, the stretch between India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the CCS 1, 2, and 3 buildings are now nearing completion. According to government sources, only about 5% of the work remains. Located along Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath), and bordered by Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, Janpath, and Man Singh Road, these three buildings will be the first of the proposed 10 Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings, which are set to replace existing office structures along Kartavya Path, according to an Indian Express report.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, whose Central Public Works Department is executing the Central Vista redevelopment, is among the ministries slated to move from Nirman Bhawan to the new CCS complex. North Block, which currently houses the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Finance Ministry, and the Department of Personnel and Training, is also set to be vacated to facilitate its restoration and conversion into a national museum. 

According to top government sources, CCS 3 is nearly complete, while CCS 1 and 2 are expected to be finished within the next three months. Larsen & Toubro Limited was given the contract for constructing the three buildings in October 2021, with a winning bid of Rs 3,141.99 crore, the Central Public Works Department’s (CPWD) largest-ever single tender

North And South Blocks Building To Demolish 

While North and South Blocks were completed in 1931 as part of the British-built imperial capital, other key government office buildings, including Udyog Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan, Rail Bhawan, and Krishi Bhawan, were constructed between 1956 and 1968.

According to a government source, the timeline for the remaining Central Vista projects is likely to be “condensed” to expedite progress. Initially proposed in 2019 with a target completion date of 2024, the ambitious redevelopment plan includes the new Parliament building, a revamped Kartavya Path, 10 Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings, a conference centre, the Vice-President’s Enclave, the Executive Enclave, and the Prime Minister’s residence. However, the project has faced delays, with only the Parliament building, Vice-President’s Enclave, and the Kartavya Path redevelopment completed so far.

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Central Vista Project Underway 

Construction is currently underway on the Executive Enclave, CCS 10 (located at the site of Raksha Bhawan), and CCS 6 and 7 (at the sites of the old Vice-President’s House and Vigyan Bhawan Annexe). The CCS 6 and 7 project was recently awarded to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), according to a statement from the company. Notably, this is the first Central Vista project not designed by Ahmedabad-based HCP Design, Planning and Management, the firm that served as CPWD’s consultant for the masterplan and all previously designed buildings in the redevelopment.