Old Parliament building set for drainage revamp after monsoon waterlogging incident: Report

An official familiar with the project described the initiative as routine maintenance. However, the timing comes after MPs raised concerns over infrastructure following the waterlogging incident.

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has announced plans to enhance the stormwater drainage system around the old Parliament House, following waterlogging during heavy rainfall last month, The Indian Express reported. The move comes after water accumulated on the driveway between the old and new Parliament buildings during a session on July 31, sparking concerns from MPs both on social media and inside Parliament.

Although the Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a statement the following day saying that the water, which had pooled near the Makar Dwar entrance of the new building, “drained out quickly,” the incident has prompted the CPWD to take preventative measures. Sources told The Indian Express that the department now plans to add more stormwater drains to the existing system around the old Parliament complex.

As part of the project, the CPWD has invited bids for several surveys, including a topographical survey, a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey, a vertical electrical resistivity test, and a robotic survey. The topographical survey will focus on mapping the boundaries, buildings, and internal roads, while the GPR survey will detect and map underground utilities. The vertical electrical resistivity test will aid in designing a rainwater harvesting system at the site.

An official familiar with the project described the initiative as routine maintenance. However, the timing comes after MPs raised concerns over infrastructure following the waterlogging incident.

The old Parliament building, which was completed in 1927, functioned as India’s Parliament from Independence until September 19, 2023, when proceedings were shifted to a newly constructed building nearby. Offices continue to operate from the old building, now renamed Samvidhan Sadan or Constitution House. The new Parliament building, constructed as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, was built on a triangular plot that previously housed reception and parking facilities.

The plot's designation was changed from “recreational” use to accommodate the new Parliament building, which now spans 64,500 square meters, significantly larger than the earlier 5,200 square meters built-up area on the site.