PM Modi Opens the First of 10 Modern Secretariat Buildings in Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan, the first of ten planned Common Central Secretariat buildings designed to modernize and consolidate government offices in the national capital. This inauguration marks a significant milestone in the Central Vista redevelopment project, a flagship initiative of the Modi government that seeks to reshape the administrative and institutional heart of New Delhi.
The event was held at the newly completed Kartavya Bhavan, located near Kartavya Path—the redeveloped ceremonial boulevard formerly known as Raj Path. With this new addition, the government aims to increase administrative efficiency and address the long-standing issues of space constraints and infrastructural deterioration in the existing government office buildings.
प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi ने दिल्ली के कर्तव्य पथ पर कर्तव्य भवन का उद्घाटन किया
कर्तव्य भवन-03 को दिल्ली भर में फैले विभिन्न मंत्रालयों और विभागों को एक साथ लाकर दक्षता, नवाचार और सहयोग को बढ़ावा देने के लिए डिज़ाइन किया गया है।
इसमें गृह मंत्रालय, विदेश मंत्रालय, ग्रामीण… pic.twitter.com/ZKjRIbBxy0
— पीआईबी हिंदी (@PIBHindi) August 6, 2025
Key Ministries to Operate from Kartavya Bhavan
Kartavya Bhavan will soon become the operational base for several critical Union ministries. These include the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
In addition to these, the building will house the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and the Department of Personnel and Training, consolidating top administrative functions in a more centralized, modern facility. The aim is to promote inter-ministerial coordination while optimizing the use of space and infrastructure.
Timeline for Remaining Secretariat Buildings
The Kartavya Bhavan is the first of ten buildings planned under the Common Secretariat component of the Central Vista project. The government has set a target of completing all ten buildings within the next two years, with two more buildings expected to be ready by September 2025.
Another building is on track for completion by April 2026, while two additional buildings are scheduled to be finished by October 2026. These buildings are being developed with sustainability, efficiency, and advanced technology at their core.
Executive Enclave and New PMO in the Pipeline
The redevelopment does not end with secretariat buildings. A significant part of the Central Vista master plan includes the construction of a state-of-the-art Executive Enclave, which will house a new Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Cabinet Secretariat, the India House, and the National Security Council Secretariat.
A second phase of this enclave will see the construction of a new residence for the Prime Minister, further centralizing key government operations within a secure and modern campus.
This phased approach aims to move away from the scattered and outdated government infrastructure towards a more cohesive administrative environment.
What Happens to the Old Buildings?
Currently, many Union ministries function out of ageing buildings such as Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, and Udyog Bhawan. These structures, constructed between the 1950s and 1970s, have long been flagged as structurally obsolete and space-inefficient.
Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced that offices currently operating from these legacy buildings will be temporarily relocated to locations on Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Minto Road, and Netaji Palace for a duration of two years. This transition will allow for the smooth demolition or repurposing of the outdated structures.
However, not all existing government buildings are slated for demolition. The government has confirmed that several iconic structures will be retained. These include the National Museum, the National Archives, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan (currently housing the Ministry of External Affairs), Dr Ambedkar International Centre, and Vanijya Bhawan.
A Vision for Modern Governance
The Central Vista redevelopment project, including the newly inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan, is positioned as a symbol of modern India’s governance model. With the new Parliament building already operational and more infrastructure upgrades underway, the government envisions a streamlined, efficient, and environmentally responsible administrative zone by 2027.
This transformation seeks not only to improve functionality but also to serve as a visual and structural representation of India’s evolving democratic and developmental aspirations.
