Hardeep Puri said only the Parliament building and widening of central vista stretch were under way.

New Delhi:

The design for a new Prime Minister’s residence as part of the Central Vista project has not been cleared yet, Union Minister Hardeep Puri said today, alleging a “false narrative” based on a report that described apparent details of the new building.

“Amusing!” – tweeted Mr Puri, saying a Times of India report that said work on the PM’s residence would start in August “had no basis”.

“Conceptual designs of PM Residence have still not been presented to the Ministry,” added the Urban Development Minister.

“Further, before construction starts, the design has to be finalised, approved and works have to be awarded after tendering.”

Mr Puri said only two projects – the Parliament building and the widening of the central vista stretch – were under way and a “false narrative” was being created.

“We want to finish the new Parliament building by 2022 to mark 75 years of independence,” Mr Puri told reporters.

He also said the decision to construct a new Parliament building was taken in 2012, when the Congress was in power.

A new Prime Minister’s residence complex, a new parliament building and new headquarters for various ministries are part of a massive makeover plan for central Delhi, home to historic buildings designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens.

The plan has provoked a huge outcry among opposition parties and on social media over objections ranging from the impact on Delhi’s green cover to destroying Delhi’s most historically significant landmarks.

The Delhi High Court today dismissed a fresh challenge against the ambitious redevelopment project and fined the petitioner ₹ 1 lakh, describing as “motivated” a petition that asked for construction to be stopped as workers were exposed to Covid. The centre had argued in court that the petition was “sheer abuse of the process of law”, and yet another attempt to block the project.

No question arises of suspending construction work as “the labourers are staying at the site”, the High Court said.

The contract given to the Shapoorji Pallonji Group says the construction has to be completed by November and it should to be allowed to continue, the court said.