New Delhi, Feb. 7 -- Union minister of state Tokhan Sahu on Thursday confirmed a cost escalation in the construction of the vice president's enclave and the new Parliament building - part of the Central Vista project in the heart of Delhi - and listed out four reasons for the same.

Sahu, the minister of state for the Union minister of housing and urban minister, gave the details in response to a question by Trinamool Congress MP Mala Roy in Parliament.

The minister cited increase in GST from 12% to 18%, price hike in steel, cement and rise of workers' wages, additional security measures and variations in view of design of structure according to Earthquake zone V for the Parliament building as reasons for the cost escalation.

Sahu also ...