New India Gets New Sansad: What will now happen to Old Parliament?

The temple of democracy, the New Parliament building received a grand inauguration on May 28, 2023, amid Vedic chants by Karnataka’s Shringeri Math priests, seeking blessings from several Adheenams of Tamil Nadu, and holy prayers resided by 12 multi-faiths priests of respective drama.

The world witnessed the first Sansad of India after independence. It is constructed in a way to reflect the power of the new India, signified by the historic Sengol scepter. However, the question arises, what will happen to the old parliament building?

What will happen to the old parliament building?

From ruckus to debates to high-voltage drama, India’s old sansad had seen all kinds of emotions and had played a major role in building the nation’s policy. However, as the new building takes over, the future of the old one seems vague. Will the old parliament be demolished, left empty, turned into a museum, or used for other purposes? There are various speculations and assumptions.

It was designed by the English architects Sir Herbert Baker and Sir Edwin Lutyens. It took six years to complete and was only completed in 1927. According to the government of India, “Conserving and rejuvenating the rich heritage of parliament building is a matter of national gravity”.

In 2021, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri told the Upper House that once the new parliament will be ready, the old one would be repaired and used for alternative purposes. However, no substantial thought has been given to it yet.

As per the sources, the old building will definitely not be demolished as it is an archaeological asset for the nation. It will be suitably modified to provide more functional space for parliamentary events and to ensure that it is used along with the new building. There is also a possibility that the old building may be converted into a museum and will be open for the public to experience the current Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha chambers.

However, it is expected from the government to give clarity on the use of the old parliament building soon.