Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has taken a big decision. The Central Public Works Department will now work on restoring the North Block to its original condition. Taking steps in this direction, CPWD will use archival photographs and building plans. Through these, North Block will be brought back to its original condition.
For this, CPWD has decided to remove various types of constructions done in the last several years. It will also repair high-use areas that have deteriorated since the opening of New Delhi by the British in 1931. Indian Express has received this information.
According to a source close to the planning, the North Block initially had around 400 rooms, but with time the divisions were increased and the number doubled. The source said CPWD may soon issue a tender for the renovation of North Block, which currently houses important ministries of the central government, including Finance, Home Ministry and Personnel.
Sources said the renovation project will be done on the basis of the report submitted by the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Bhopal. He explained that the SPA team studied the original plans and archival photographs of the building as part of their work. An inventory of the furniture present in the building has also been prepared, so that the antiquities can be preserved or used in the National Museum, which is proposed to be moved to the North and South Blocks as a part of the Central Vista redevelopment .
According to sources, however, work on the ground level will begin only next year, when the building becomes vacant. But preparations have started. CPWD is in the process of obtaining all necessary statutory clearances. An approval from the Heritage Conservation Committee was given on 24 October.
According to the minutes of the meeting, the HCC asked the CPWD to ensure that the repair and restoration work is carried out in such a way that “the originality of the existing heritage building in terms of character, construction, colour, form, materials etc. is maintained and the roof But no external interference including heat resistant paint should be allowed”.
The committee asked CPWD to ensure structural safety of the building. According to the project report submitted by CPWD, the “rehabilitation and comprehensive repair” of North Block “will contribute to all necessary actions and interventions taken to extend its lifespan; Will protect it from damage and deterioration; Will reduce the impact of external factors of decay and interference on the building and its contents and prepare for natural and human induced disasters. All efforts will be made to restore the North Block, maintaining its values and significance, authenticity and interventions and visual connections to and from the structure…”
The renovation work can begin only when the offices operating from the North Block are shifted to the new Common Central Secretariat (CSS) buildings which are under construction. Sources say all three CCS buildings are likely to be completed by March or April 2025.
