India has witnessed transparent, citizen-centric model in last 11 years: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted that the NDA government at the Centre has been working with a holistic vision to rejuvenate infrastructure across the country, and said that India has witnessed a transparent, sensitive and citizen-centric over the last 11 years.

The PM was speaking at an event at Kartavya Path after inaugurating Kartavya Bhavan, the first of the 10 upcoming state-of-the-art Common Central Secretariat buildings, which will house offices of all ministries. 

The PM said that his government will utilise ‘Kartavya Bhavans’ as instruments to help liberate the country from poverty, and will also realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

‘Kartavya’ is not just the name of a building, it is a sacred ground for realising the dreams of millions of countrymen, he said, adding that the project, along with other infrastructure facilities, symbolise India’s global vision.

He said it was also a moment for introspection as India could not develop at the same pace as many other countries, which got independence around the time it did and progressed ahead.

He said that after independence, the country’s administrative machinery continued to function from buildings constructed during the British era, where the working conditions were poor and marked by inadequate space, light and ventilation.

“It is our responsibility that we should not leave current problems to future generations,” Modi said.

The Kartavya Bhavan will guide the policies and direction of a developed India. Important decisions for the nation will be taken from here, he said.

The prime minister said the central government will save Rs 1,500 crore in rent annually after the construction of 10 buildings of the Common Central Secretariat.

‘Kartavya Bhavan-03’ will house the Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSME, DoPT, Petroleum & Natural Gas ministries, and the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office.

Under the Central Vista redevelopment plan, the government has already constructed a new Parliament building and the Vice President Enclave, and redeveloped the Kartavya Path that spans from Vijay Chowk to India Gate.