After proposing a plan to revamp Mumbai’s Vidhan Bhavan on the lines of Delhi’s Central Vista, the Maharashtra government has now approved a similar redevelopment project for the Vidhan Bhavan in Civil Lines, Nagpur.
The new complex will have a built-up area of 9 lakh square feet, significantly larger than the current 1.3 lakh square feet. The plan includes four multi-storeyed buildings on the existing premises and a separate 14-storeyed structure adjacent to it. The project is estimated to cost over ₹1,000 crore.
The redevelopment projects in Mumbai and Nagpur have been collectively named Maha Vista. The blueprint, prepared by the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), was presented last week to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar by consulting architects Darshini Shah and Hafeez Contractor.
Also present during the presentation were Council Chairman Ram Shinde and Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, who is leading the initiative, along with other key officials.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has given his nod to the Maha Vista project, which will now be forwarded to the concerned departments for final approvals. The redevelopment aims to address the need for expanded infrastructure, anticipating a rise in the number of legislators following the expected delimitation of Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies over the next five years.
As per the blueprint, the main block will house the Assembly, Legislative Council, Central Hall, and Cabinet Hall. Four adjoining multi-storeyed buildings will accommodate offices of ministers, political parties, and other legislative functions.
A 14-storeyed structure on an adjacent plot is planned to house administrative offices for the Mantralaya and legislature. This building will span 4.5 lakh square feet of built-up area and will be connected to the main complex via an underpass.
The main structure will be designed to preserve the sanctity of the existing heritage building of the Vidhan Bhavan. Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said, “Additional land has been allotted right next to the existing Vidhan Bhavan for the new project. The new Vidhan Bhavan will have a new Mantralaya building, spacious cabins for the ministers and party offices. It will be well-equipped to cater to our needs in the future.”
Darshini Shah said, “We visited the Central Vista to study the structure and the functioning of the parliamentary bodies, having worked on the renovation of the existing Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai for the last three years. The new design revolves around the concept of ‘Building on Legacy, Designing for the Future’,”
The 9,000-square-metre plot behind the existing Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur, previously occupied by a government press, has been earmarked for the Maha Vista project. “The plot will soon be transferred to the Vidhan Bhavan secretariat through the revenue department from the industries department, which currently controls the space. The state government is also trying to acquire another plot opposite the main gate of the Vidhan Bhavan, but the owner has been demanding more than ₹100 crore against its present valuation of ₹79 crore,” said an official from the Public Works Department (PWD).
An official from the Vidhan Bhavan told the media, “In order to address outdated infrastructure, space constraints, safety concerns, and poor facilities for legislators and the public, the government is planning a design-led transformation of the legislative complex. The renewed campus will reflect Maharashtra’s status as a second capital, integrating modern amenities.”
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