The demolition of Udyog Bhawan, one of the capital’s prominent government office buildings, has officially begun under the Centre’s ongoing Central Vista redevelopment programme. The move marks another major phase in the transformation of Delhi’s administrative district. Located near Kartavya Path in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, Udyog Bhawan had served as the headquarters for several important ministries, including commerce and industry, heavy industries, and MSMEs for decades. Officials said the structure is being cleared to make space for new Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings planned under the mega redevelopment project.

The demolition comes weeks after neighbouring Nirman Bhawan was razed as part of the same exercise. According to government sources, the land occupied by both buildings will be used for constructing CCS-8 and CCS-9, which are expected to house multiple ministries in a modern integrated setup. The Central Vista project, launched in 2019, aims to revamp India’s central administrative zone with new Parliament facilities, upgraded public spaces, and a unified secretariat system designed to improve coordination among ministries. Several key components of the project — including the new Parliament building and parts of Kartavya Bhavan — have already been completed.

Government officials have maintained that many of the older post-Independence office buildings no longer meet present-day infrastructure and technological requirements. The new secretariat complexes are expected to feature advanced digital systems, energy-efficient designs, enhanced security, and larger office spaces for government departments.

The redevelopment has also triggered debate among urban planners and conservationists. Critics argue that several buildings being demolished hold architectural and historical value linked to post-Independence India and the identity of central Delhi. Supporters of the project, on the other hand, view the redevelopment as a long-term modernization effort aimed at creating a more efficient governance ecosystem.

As demolition work progresses at the site, construction activity in the Central Vista zone is expected to intensify over the coming months. The government has indicated that the broader redevelopment plan will continue in phases, with multiple new secretariat buildings targeted for completion in the coming years.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.