Redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue to be finished by July 18: Hardeep Puri

The work on the ambitious project to redevelop the Central Vista Avenue which is the centrepiece of the iconic Lutyens' Delhi will be completed by July 18, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri said on Thursday.

Puri, who was talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in the national capital, said the redevelopment work is almost complete and there are some minor works remaining including on two underpasses.

The Central Vista Avenue stretches from Vijay Chowk to India Gate, and the redevelopment work coincides with the construction of a new Parliament building. Also part of the Central Vista project is building a common central secretariat, a new prime minister's residence and office, and a new vice-president's enclave.

“The work on the redevelopment of the Central Vista Avenue is almost done. Some minor works are being carried out at one or two underpasses. The project will be completed by July 15 or July 18,” said Puri as he took questions from the media after launching 'SVANidhi Mahotsav', a clutural festival for celebrating what he said was an overwhelming response to the PM SVANidhi Scheme meant to provide loans to street vendors whose businesses were hit by Covid-19.

Puri, who inspected the work on the Central Vista Avenue on Monday, said the denizens would be surprised to see the transformation of the area. He said the revamp would provide the avenue with underpasses, vending zones, public amenities, pathways and green spaces.

He had tweeted on Monday after his inspection, saying that the construction will be a historical legacy for all Delhiites.

The government maintains that the Winter Session of Parliament will be held in the new Parliament building. The new Parliament, a triangular structure, is scheduled to be ready in October.