PM Modi slams critics of Central Vista, says new Parliament to be ready in time

Launching a website for Central Vista, he said several defence officials were working from offices in hutments, adding that those who criticise the Central Vista project do not talk about this.

"In the 21st century, when we are modernising our forces, CDS (Chief of Defence Staff) is improving coordination of forces, procurements have been streamlined, how can the officials of the forces work from years old hutments," the Prime Minister said.

Modi also said the Parliament project will be completed in time. It is expected to become functional next year.

Several offices of defence personnel were being run from pre-Independence era hutments in the vicinity of North and South blocks in the national capital which were cleared for the Central Vista Project. The offices are being relocated to the complexes inaugurated on Thursday.

"Those who criticise the Central Vista Project do not mention the fact that offices of the defence forces have also been upgraded," Modi said.

He also said defence forces that serve the nation were given priority.

"When I got an opportunity to serve people in 2014, I felt the condition of government offices was not good, I could have done this as the first thing in 2014, but I did not do that. I first focused on the memorial for the martyrs," he said.

The Prime Minister said the Central Vista work is being undertaken with the view that the national capital is not just a city, but represents the culture of India, and called it people-centric.

At the function, Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the central avenue of Central Vista will be completed within a couple of months, and the Republic Day parade next year would be held on the new avenue.

He also said the building of the new Parliament will be ready before the Winter Session next year.

The event was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and CDS General Bipin Rawat.

The Central Vista Redevelopment Project refers to the ongoing redevelopment to revamp the Central Vista, India's central administrative area located near Raisina Hill, New Delhi. Rashtrapati Bhavan, North and South blocks, and the Parliament building, along with scores of other government buildings, are a part of the area.