The face of Lutyens’ Delhi is about to change forever. In a move that truly signals the end of old-school bureaucracy, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has officially started the process to tear down two of the capital’s most famous landmarks: Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan.
This is a massive step for the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. These decades-old buildings are coming down to make room for the new, high-tech Common Central Secretariat (CCS) Buildings 4 and 5. Essentially, we are witnessing the physical shift from the post-independence era to a streamlined, modern government hub right in the heart of Delhi.
Key Points Of Building New Central Secretariat
- The Project: Building the new Common Central Secretariat (CCS) Blocks 4 & 5.
- The Price Tag: Around ₹3,006 Crore.
- The Deadline: 24 Months (This includes 3 months to plan/demolish and 21 months to build).
- The Blueprint: Two new blocks, Ground + 7 Floors, spread over 3 lakh square meters.
- Who is Moving: Ministries of Education, Law, I&B, Agriculture, and Culture.
- Where They are Going: Kartavya Bhawan 2, Netaji Nagar, and temporary setups on Minto Road.
The Big Move: A ₹3,006 Crore Makeover
On January 20, 2026, the CPWD put out a massive tender worth roughly ₹3,006 crore to get this job done. The task is two-fold and heavy: the contractor has to dismantle the existing concrete giants and then build state-of-the-art office towers in their place at Plot No. 120, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road.
According to the paperwork, the clock is already ticking. The chosen firm will have a tight window of just 24 months to pull this off. That includes everything, getting the permits, knocking down the old structures safely, and putting up the new steel-structure buildings. Once the buildings are up, the contractor also has to maintain them for five years.
The Great Ministry Shuffle
For about sixty years, Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan have been the engine rooms of the Indian government. Krishi Bhawan handled agriculture and rural issues, while Shastri Bhawan was the go-to address for Education, Law, and Information & Broadcasting.
With the demolition orders signed, there is a massive logistical scramble happening right now to move thousands of employees.
- Kartavya Bhawan 2: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, along with the Ministry of Law & Justice and Culture, have already secured spots in the newly opened Kartavya Bhawan 2.
- Netaji Nagar & Minto Road: Other departments are packing their files and shifting to new offices in Netaji Nagar or temporary spaces on Minto Road and Kasturba Gandhi Marg while construction goes on.
Why Tear Them Down?
It’s not just about looks. These buildings, built back in the 1960s, have been showing their age for a long time. They are inefficient, structurally tired, and weren’t built for the digital age. Plus, the way they were designed meant that government officials were working in silos. If you needed to coordinate between ministries, you often had to travel across the city, adding to Delhi’s traffic and slowing down decisions.
The new CCS Buildings 4 and 5 are the solution. They are part of a larger plan to have 10 identical towers along Kartavya Path. They will feature:
- Smart Offices: Open spaces that make it easier for teams to talk and work together.
- Green Tech: Solar power, waste management, and eco-friendly designs.
- Better Connections: An underground loop and walkways that connect all 10 buildings, so officials can zip between departments without ever stepping out into traffic.
The Vision: One Loop to Rule Them All
This demolition isn’t a random event; it’s a key piece of the Central Vista Master Plan. The ultimate goal is to bring all 51 central ministries into one spot. It makes sense financially and operationally. Right now, the government spends over ₹1,000 crore a year just renting offices all over Delhi. The new Common Central Secretariat will stop that cash bleed and create a secure, unified loop where the government can function efficiently.
From Nostalgia to Modernity
As the heavy machinery gears up to roll onto Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, Delhi is watching history turn a page. For generations of journalists and bureaucrats, the crowded corridors and canteens of Shastri Bhawan were a second home. Seeing them fall will be a bit nostalgic, marking the final goodbye to the file-stacked offices of the 20th century. By 2028, the government’s physical footprint will look completely different, sleeker, taller, and ready for the future.
The Illusion of Permanence
The dismantling of earthly landmarks serves as a profound reminder that nothing in this mortal realm (Kaal Lok) is permanent. Whether it is a grand building or the human body, everything is subject to decay and destruction. Tatavdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj teaches that we are merely travelers in this alien land, trapped in the repetitive cycle of birth and death. We often mistake this temporary existence for reality, seeking security in places that are destined to fall.
True safety lies only in our original home, Satlok (Sachkhand). Unlike this world, Satlok is eternal, free from the suffering of aging and death. To attain this state of immortality, one must seek the shelter of a complete Saint and practice Sat-Bhakti. Only by returning to Satlok can the soul break free from the cycle of 84 lakh life forms and find everlasting peace, far beyond the reach of time and destruction. Download the free Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj app to understand authentic spiritual knowledge and the true purpose of human life.
FAQs Of Building New Central Secretariat
1. Why are Krishi and Shastri Bhawan being demolished?
They are being torn down because they are old, unsafe, and energy-inefficient. The goal is to replace these 1960s-era structures with modern, high-tech offices that meet today’s safety and digital standards.
2. How much will the new project cost and how long will it take?
The project is estimated to cost around ₹3,006 crore. The entire process, including demolition and rebuilding, has a strict deadline of just 24 months.
3. Where are the ministries moving to?
Key departments like Law and I&B are shifting to the new Kartavya Bhawan 2. Others are moving to temporary offices in Netaji Nagar and on Minto Road while construction takes place.
4. What will be built in their place?
Two new towers, CCS Buildings 4 and 5, will come up on the site. These will be modern, green “smart buildings” with seven floors, designed for better collaboration and efficiency.
5. How does this help the government work better?
It brings all 51 ministries into one unified loop along Kartavya Path, instead of being scattered across Delhi. This will save over ₹1,000 crore in annual rent and speed up decision-making by cutting travel time.
