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Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Rana Man Singh: Nehru's architect who designed Shanti Van
The year was 1949. Then Prime Minister of newly independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was visiting the US. While he was in New York, a young man Rana Man Singh met him. Singh was then working with the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He had moved to the US after studying at the JJ School of Art in Bombay. During their meeting, Nehru urged Singh to return to home and contribute to the building of a new India. The idea resonated with Singh, who returned to Delhi in 1951. One day, he met Nehru at Teen Murti House. Nehru recognised him and said he would soon be put to work. A few days later, Singh joined the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). Years later, Singh would be tasked with landscaping Nehru's memorial, Shanti Van. Singh also designed several other important buildings across the country. Bal Bhavan (1953), Buddha Jayanti Park (1956), the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) (1964), and the Nehru Planetarium (1980), are among his works in Delhi. Buddha Jayanti Park is considered a milestone in Singh's career. It was developed in 1959 to commemorate the 2500th anniversary of Lord Buddha's Parinirvana. The government had allocated 300 acres of land for this park, and Nehru himself entrusted Singh with this project. On Tuesday (May 27), people from all walks of life visited Shanti Van to pay tribute to Nehru on his death anniversary. Upon entering the complex, they would have felt the incessant din of Mahatma Gandhi Road fade away. The atmosphere of Shanti Van is profoundly calm. In the morning, when the first rays of the sun touch the green spread along the banks of the Yamuna, Shanti Van appears even more enchanting. The chirping of birds, the gentle breeze, and the sound of the flowing Yamuna transform this place into a meditative sanctuary. Shanti Van was established in 1964 around the spot where the last rites of the first Prime Minister of India were performed. The name Shanti Van (forest of peace) reflects the peaceful and inclusive vision Nehru espoused throughout his life. Thousands of birds inhabit the countless trees here, their chirping beginning at dawn. You will see dozens of squirrels scurrying about all day. Awash with the colours of blooming roses, jasmine, marigolds, and other flowers, Shanti Van is one of Delhi's most peaceful havens amidst its bustling life. Nehru's samadhi is a simple black stone platform. For the past one and a half to two decades, Brother Solomon George has been reading excerpts from the Bible at the interfaith prayer meetings held here on November 14th and May 27th. George occasionally visits to sit here, finding solace in the greenery and tranquillity. Besides him, many others come to Shanti Van to spend a few moments in its serene environment. Shanti Van is maintained by the Central Public Works Department. Singh specifically had Neem and Peepal trees planted here, reflecting Nehru's love for Indian culture and environmental conservation. Buddha Jayanti Park also boasts numerous Neem and Peepal trees. The design of Shanti Van maintains harmony with the environment. Its greenery and open spaces not only provide aesthetic beauty but also symbolise Nehru's principles of peace and non-alignment. There are no grand monuments or excessive decorations. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna, its natural beauty is further enhanced. The calm flow of the river and the surrounding natural scenery offer spiritual peace. Beyond Shanti Van, Singh designed buildings and spaces that stand out as unique and unparalleled due to their distinctive designs. His buildings allow ample sunlight and fresh air. When designing the Nehru Memorial Library, he kept the capital's arid climate in mind. Hence the strong focus on landscaping: You will find greenery at every turn here, which undoubtedly provides relief in summer. Singh was entrusted with designing the NMML in the Teen Murti complex in 1964. His primary task was to design the library, seminar rooms, and auditorium. Teen Murti House was designed by Robert Tor Russell, who also designed Safdarjung Airport, Connaught Place, Western Court, and Eastern Court. Singh knew that his work would be compared to Russell's: He didn't disappoint. Singh designed the NMML in such a way that visitors to the library and other parts of the building would always have a view of the beautiful gardens. For this, he incorporated ample window space in the two-story building. Those reading in the library can see the greenery outside, and once someone studies here, they rarely find other places appealing. Many of his contemporaries were influenced by Edwin Lutyens or the French architect Le Corbusier, but Singh constantly sought to create something original. His work bears no overt influence from others. Rana Man Singh passed away in 2012. Vivek Shukla is the author of Gandhi's Delhi. The views expressed are personal. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Kasturba Nagar GPRA plan again fails Delhi Urban Art Commission test
In a setback to the government's flagship housing project in south Delhi, the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) has, for the second time, rejected the revised proposal for Phase 2 of the Kasturba Nagar general pool residential accommodation (GPRA) redevelopment after raising concerns over inadequate planning, inefficient land use and poor compliance with its earlier observations. The decision is expected to delay the project further, said officials. The commission has directed the Central Public Works Department (CPWD)—which is executing the project—to revise the layout again, reducing road width and increasing green cover. 'The double road between the primary school and banquet hall appears unnecessary… the space thus released can be utilised to enhance the green cover,' DUAC said in its latest observations. The project is part of the Centre's plan to redevelop seven GPRA colonies across south Delhi. Of these, three are being handled by NBCC, while CPWD is in charge of four—two of them, Mohammadpur and Thyagraj Nagar, have already been completed. The remaining two—Kasturba Nagar and Srinivaspuri—are currently under construction. DUAC had initially approved the redevelopment plan for Kasturba Nagar in January 2020. However, officials said that the new version of the layout plan, submitted recently, included several unmarked modifications that did not address previously flagged gaps. The commission reiterated that the latest submission lacked clarity and remained 'incomplete and incomprehensible'. DUAC had earlier requested a clear layout, a comprehensive mobility plan with a detailed parking matrix, and clarity on movement patterns across the site. The revised proposal still fails to fully meet these requirements, it said. In its detailed feedback, DUAC pointed out that a dedicated road proposed for banquet hall access was an 'inefficient use of space', contributing to an increase in hard-paved surfaces. 'The double road between the primary school and banquet hall appears unnecessary as it occupies excessive space. It is recommended to remove the double road and instead provide a single, shared access road serving the primary school, banquet hall, residential towers, and the future senior secondary school plot. The space thus released can be utilized to enhance the green cover,' DUAC noted. Further, DUAC noted that the provision for air conditioning had not been adequately explained, and instructed that solar panels be integrated into the design at a height that allows for functional shading beneath them. Phase 2 of the Kasturba Nagar project includes an anganwadi, convenient shops, a coaching centre, a banquet hall, a podium, and a residential complex comprising 25 towers and 1,350 flats. The overall redevelopment spans 19.15 hectares, with over 3,500 housing units planned. The colony is bounded by Bhisham Pitamah Marg to the east, Chaudhary Chandu Lal Balmiki Marg to the west, and lies adjacent to the Sewa Nagar railway station and Barapullah elevated road in the north. CPWD officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Central Vista's North Block to undergo revamp
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has floated tenders for renovating the North Block, which houses key ministries including home and finance, as part of the Central Vista redevelopment. To be sure, under the 2019 Central Vista plan, both North and South Blocks are to be transformed into the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum, showcasing 10,000 years of Indian history. In December 2024, India signed an agreement with France for technical collaboration on preserving the buildings' original architecture during their conversion, drawing inspiration from heritage sites like the Louvre and Grand Palais in Paris. The North Block repurposing project, estimated at ₹338 crore, is to be completed in two years. According to the tender document, bids will be opened on May 13. The project covers a plinth area of 76,196 sqm in North Block and 7,200 sqm in the adjoining service block, totaling 83,396 sqm. The work includes surface cleaning, structural repairs, waterproofing, dismantling and restoring sections, as well as stone work and drainage upgrades. CPWD, the implementing agency under the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA), has listed original construction materials such as red and buff sandstone, bricks, teakwood, lime mortar, plaster, and glass. Marble, granite, and plywood will be added as new materials in the restoration. To protect the site's heritage, advanced tools like ground penetrating radar (GPR) will be used for underground surveys before excavation, ensuring that no hidden features are damaged. The tender also mandates adherence to traditional restoration methods to preserve the building's historical character. Given the location's proximity to high-security zones—the President's Estate, Vice President's residence, and old Parliament Buildings—contractors must maintain strict access control for workers, materials, and vehicles. They must also install 24-hour CCTV surveillance and submit footage to CPWD every 90 days at no extra cost. Meanwhile, in March, the government told Parliament that the third Common Central Secretariat (CCS) building, part of the same Central Vista project, will be ready by April 30. The first two are expected to be completed by June and July, respectively. Initially slated for completion by November 2023, the CCS buildings have faced delays and shifting timelines. A final decision on which ministries will move into the new CCS buildings is still pending.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mega makeover for North Block: Govt invites bids for Rs 338-crore project
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The North Block, a century-old heritage structure on the Raisina Hills that houses the home and finance ministries and the Department of Personnel of Training, will undergo a major makeover at an estimated cost of Rs 338 crore to pave the way for a grand museum. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has invited bids to execute the project, which is expected to be completed in two years. Its twin, the South Block, will go through a similar repair and restoration work in the second twin central secretariat buildings on the Raisina Hill, the nerve centre of the government, will be transformed into Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum , a world-class cultural last date to submit the technical-cum-eligibility bid under the comprehensive and retrofitting plan of the North Block is May 13. Those who qualify will be eligible to participate in the financial bidding the Rs 338 crore earmarked for the project as part of the ambitious Central Vista Redevelopment Project, Rs 275 crore has been designated for civil works and over Rs 62.24 crore for the electrical CPWD, in its tender document, said the bidder should have at least one ongoing building work of contract value not less than Rs 135.2 space occupied by the Ministry of Home Affairs will be handed over to the qualified bidder for conservation and retrofitting work first. The remaining spaces, including those occupied by the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Personnel of Training (DopT), will be turned over to the bidder four months from the date work said these ministries and DoPT may be shifted to the new buildings under the Common Central Secretariat. The first out of three buildings is almost ready for to the tender document, the goal is to create a functional and safe museum while maintaining the North Block's historical integrity, setting a standard for adaptive reuse of heritage structures The CPWD said that given the prestigious nature of the project, it has to be completed within the prescribed time limit and the highest standards of quality and workmanship project will employ a fusion of modern techniques and materials along with traditional methods to ensure the site is prepared effectively for conservation and retrofitting."The original materials used and repaired primarily involve stone elements that contribute to the building's historic aesthetic. Stone blocks, door frames, architraves, brackets, columns, and jalis will be carefully restored using lime mortar."Matching stone materials will be used to replace the damaged sections, ensuring consistency with the building's historical appearance," the tender document the project, a new service building will built on the north side to house mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, with the sewage plant on the east I of the project involves comprehensive conservation, retrofitting and the establishment of a service building within North Block, covering various building components and elements across a plinth area of 76,196 square metres inside the North Block, along with an additional 7,200 square metres in the service block, bringing the total area to 83,396 square to the CPWD, the restoration work on the North Block building involves careful cleaning and treatment of the original materials to ensure they are preserved for future surfaces, a key element of the building, will be cleaned using approved chemical solutions to remove dirt, algae, grease, and other project involves the careful dismantling and demolition of civil and electrical materials to prepare the building for restoration while preserving its structural integrity, it said."The structural beams will also be strengthened using carbon laminates or filaments, which involves careful surface preparation, bonding, and lamination processes to ensure the structural integrity of the original beams is preserved."Epoxy bonding agents will be used to bond old concrete to new concrete, ensuring a seamless integration of repaired sections," the CPWD added.
