Following criticism of the project, the Central Public Works Department has banned photography and video recording at the Central Vista construction site near India Gate in Delhi, according to PTI. The site has been marked with signs that read “no photography” and “no video recording.”
The Narendra Modi government is behind the Central Vista project. It aims to rebuild the Central Vista, a 3.2-kilometer stretch in the heart of Lutyens Delhi, which was designed by the British in the 1930s. It would cost Rs 20,000 crore to demolish and reconstruct many government buildings, including iconic landmarks, as well as create a new Parliament.
The prime minister’s and vice president’s residences are expected to be completed by 2022.
Even as a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic rages across the world, the Centre has been chastised for continuing construction work on the project despite the lockdown in Delhi. The building at the site in Delhi has been designated as a “important service,” which means that work can proceed even if the city is shut down.
Since April 22, India has registered more than 3 lakh cases every day for the past three weeks. India reported 3,62,727 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 2,37,03,665 since the pandemic began in January of last year. With 4,120 deaths, the total number of people killed has risen to 2,58,317.
Twelve Opposition parties wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, urging him to halt the Central Vista project and instead use the funds to purchase oxygen and vaccines, which are in short supply.
On Wednesday, a total of 65 civil society and environmental organizations petitioned the Centre to suspend the initiative.
According to a statement released by Vikalp Sangam, all unnecessary expenses, including the building of the luxurious Central Vista, must be halted, and all available resources must be diverted to the urgent Covid response.
According to the study, the full focus of economic activities in the name of growth must now be on human and environmental health and well-being. While the federal and state governments have the resources to carry out these initiatives and must be kept accountable for them, civil society organizations and local self-government bodies in villages and cities must also put forth their best efforts to make them a reality, according to the statement.
