Expanded Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur should be grand and iconic: Narwekar

Mumbai, July 16 (PTI) The blueprint for the expansion of the Nagpur Vidhan Bhavan building and a new administrative complex is ready, and they should be grand and magnificent, Maharashtra assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said on Wednesday.

Architect Hafeez Contractor presented the plan of the new buildings to Narwekar and others here.

A new seven-storey complex will be constructed on the current premises of the Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur. Care will be taken to preserve the historical architectural style of the existing building during the expansion, an official release said.

The new building will house a Central Hall, Assembly Hall, Legislative Council Hall, offices for the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers, Assembly Speaker, Council Chairman and Leaders of the Opposition under one roof.

A separate six-storey building will be constructed nearby for cabinet members. The complex will also include facilities such as parking, a cafeteria, visitor lounges and security units.

The land currently occupied by the Government Printing Press has been allocated to the legislature.

On this land, a grand 14-storey building covering approximately 4 lakh sqft will be built for ministerial administrative offices. The Vidhan Bhavan premises and the proposed administrative building will be connected by an underground tunnel.

The project will be executed by the Maharashtra Infrastructure Development Corporation.

Narwekar directed the corporation to submit a detailed proposal.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized that the concept of `green building' should be implemented in the construction of the expanded Vidhan Bhavan, the release said. PTI MR KRK