M A I N   N E W S

India to complete Afghan Parliament building by yr-end
Ashok Tuteja/TNS

New Delhi, June 9
As the deadline for withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan approaches, India is working overtime to complete two of its most ambitious projects in the war-torn country-the new Parliament building and the Salma Dam.

Concerned about the situation likely to evolve in the war-ravaged nation after the drawdown of foreign troops in 2014, New Delhi is trying to win the minds the hearts and minds of the Afghan people by its ‘soft’ approach focusing on aid and development.

According to informed sources, work was on in full swing on the Parliament building project in Kabul and it would be handed over to the Afghan authorities by the end of the year or may be before that.

As its contribution to the establishment of democratic institutions in Afghanistan, India committed to construct the new Parliament building in 2005. Its foundation stone was laid during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Kabul in August 2005. However, it took almost four years to commence the construction.

The government assigned the CPWD to construct the Parliament building at a cost of about Rs 300 crores. But inordinate delay led to a considerable escalation in its cost. It is now expected to cost more than Rs 700 crores. The delay was apparently on account of the changes sought in its design by the Afghan government.

Its design is based on the religious philosophy of the Afghan people. There are four sections - the Lower House, the Upper House, administrative section and an entrance block.

delayed project

• The foundation stone of the Parliament building was laid during Manmohan Singh's visit to Kabul in August 2005
• However, it took almost four years to begin construction
• Delay has led to a escalation in its cost, which is now expected to be more than Rs 700 crore
• It will be handed over to the Afghan authorities by the year end or may be before that