The government said on Wednesday it would not demolish a single historic building for the capital’s Central Vista project. State Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, told the Rajya Sabha that the tender for the construction of the new building of Parliament has been tendered. Its work is expected to begin by the year 2022, the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, and the building is expected to be completed, he said.

Puri said it was too early to say anything about what the old building would be used for after the new building was built. Responding to a question about the Central Vista project, he said some decisions have been made and are being implemented.

Asked which building has been identified for the project, Puri said a historic building would not be demolished. Temporary offices and structures will be removed within the scope of the project but only when appropriate arrangements are made. These offices will be relocated to Kasturba Gandhi Route or Africa Avenue

He informed that the Central Vista project is intended to bring government offices in different places of Delhi. These include the Office of the Vice President, Prime Minister’s House, and the Union Secretary. He said it would be good to bring the offices of various state governments into one place in the capital, but the proposal must come from the state governments.