Redevelopment to transform Pragati Maidan into world class iconic venue

The redevelopment plan of Pragati Maidan is a project of national importance and envisages setting up of a world class iconic state of the art Integrated Exhibition and Convention Centre (IECC) with latest modern architectural design. It also includes a comprehensive traffic decongestion plan including an underground tunnel passing through Pragati Maidan, and making Mathura Road signal free, with a basement parking facilities for 4800 vehicles.

IECC project goes beyond Pragati Maidan. The work for redevelopment of Pragati Maidan is time bound in nature. Such a venue of international standards is in sync with India aspiring to be a global power. The RFP for IECC has already been floated by NBCC on March 23, 2017 with May 21, 2017 as the last date of submission of bids for selecting the vendor/contractor.

Execution of IECC requires dismantling of Hall No. 1 to 6, 14 to 20 and State Pavilions etc. including Hall of Nations, Nehru Pavilion and Hall of Industry. Hall of Nations, Nehru Pavilion and Hall of Industry were constructed in the year 1972. These structures are not classified as heritage buildings.

Earlier a PIL and two writ petitions filed by India Institute of Architects in Delhi High Court were dismissed. Presently, a writ petition filed by INTACH is pending. Delhi High Court has dismissed another writ petition on April 20, 2017 filed by Raj Rewal seeking to declare and preserve Hall of Nations, Hall of Industry and Nehru Pavilion as work of art of national importance. An appeal has been filed against the dismissal, but there is no stay granted by the Court in any of the writ petitions against demolition of structures envisaged in the re-development of Pragati Maidan.

The Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC), the statutory body of experts, decided in its meeting on February 2 that only those buildings which are at least 60 years old can be considered for inclusion in the heritage list.

The layout plan of IECC, which inevitably involves demolition of these structures, has already been approved by the concerned statutory authorities like Delhi Urban Arts Commission, South Delhi Municipal Corporation and National Monuments Authority.