Transit Vision For Central Vista: CPWD To Assess Underground And Elevated Mobility Options For India's Administrative Core

As the Central Vista redevelopment initiative progresses, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) is undertaking an extensive traffic assessment and integrated mobility strategy.

This plan is aimed to determine various aspects, including the mode of connection for the upcoming Common Central Secretariat (CCS) structures — whether an underground tunnel or an elevated automated people mover will be employed.

In 2019, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, along with project consultant HCP Design, Planning and Management Ltd, announced the Central Vista redevelopment plan.

Currently, three out of the proposed 10 CCS buildings are being constructed. These will accommodate 54,000 employees from different union government ministries once completed.

The CPWD has stated that the complete redevelopment, including the demolition of existing government structures like Krishi Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan, has been designed based on the concept of transit-oriented development.

As part of this plan, it was stated that the CCS buildings would be connected to the Delhi Metro and to each other through an underground people mover.

The CPWD has recently invited bids from consultants for the traffic survey. The study aims to understand the impact of the proposed development on traffic in terms of increased congestion, parking availability, and metro ridership.

In their announcement, the department states, “CPWD intends to come up with an internal Automated People Mover System (APMS) so that employees using the Delhi Metro can be seamlessly connected with various upcoming buildings. Consultant can suggest APMS that can run underground or above ground, meeting the total demand generated by the proposed development,” reports Indian Express.

The selected bidder will be responsible for conducting a traffic survey to analyse circulation patterns, peak hours, areas of congestion, and projected assessment of office-goers and visitors in 2050.

Additionally, they will be required to draft an integrated mobility development plan. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 2.24 crore, with a completion time of approximately four months.

The Central Vista Redevelopment Project is a significant urban revitalisation initiative of the administrative core of the country, in the capital city.

Aimed at transforming the iconic area, the project entails the construction of new government buildings, public spaces, and amenities, while preserving historical landmarks.

The new parliament building sits at the heart of this redevelopment project. (Read more on this here)

Further, a joint Central Secretariat, a new Prime Minister’s residence, a new Prime Minister’s Office, a new Vice-President’s enclave, as well as revamped Kartavya Path are also part of the project.

The ambitious project, headed by CPWD, will be built at a cost of Rs 13,450 crore between 2020 and 2026.