New Delhi, May 22 -- The next phase of the Central Vista redevelopment is nearing completion, with three new Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings - among a total of 10 - set to become operational by October. The Central Vista redevelopment, which was initially to cost Rs.20,000 crore, is the centrepiece of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid to erase Delhi's colonial-era architecture from the seat of power and leave a new architectural legacy. The ones already delivered are the new Parliament building, which hosted its first session in September 2023; the redeveloped and re-christened Raj Path as Kartavya Path, which opened in September 2022, and the Vice-President's enclave, which was ready in April 2024. The old Parliament building, Rashtrapati Bhawan, and the Secretariat were the first buildings to come up in the late 1920s. Buildings such as Udyog Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan, and Krishi Bhawan, were constructed between the mid-1950s to late 1960s. Among the buildings that have been demolished are Raksha Bhawan (Defence College) and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, and the old V-P residence. A senior central government official aware of the plans said that by October, departments under various ministries, including finance and defence, will occupy the first three CCS buildings. They were originally due to be ready by November 2023. On the second set of redevelopments, the official, on condition of anonymity, said, "Offices that worked out of the North Block, some departments from Shastri Bhawan and Nirman Bhavan, will be relocated to the new buildings." The shifting will start from August and by October, CCS buildings 1, 2, and 3 will be fully occupied. While CCS 1 is in the final stages of furnishing, the other two are "ready for all practical purposes," the official said. Once vacated, the older government buildings will be taken up for redevelopment, beginning the second chapter of the Central Vista transformation. Though modern in design and functionality, the new buildings - that will retain the same two-tone sandstone exterior facades - will harmonise with the surrounding heritage structures. Retaining the twin-tone sandstone facades characteristic of Lutyens' Delhi, the buildings have been designed to not exceed India Gate's height and to stay in visual background when viewed from Kartavya Path. Bimal Patel's HCP Design, Planning and Management-the consulting firm behind the project design-said the CCS blocks were conceived to restore the architectural formality of the Vista while integrating new-age infrastructure. "The buildings are designed to be muted, respectful of the grandeur of Rashtrapati Bhavan, North and South Blocks, and the Parliament Complex," an official said. They said that while the idea is to move away from the old Lutyens' style, it is in a "subtle but perceptible" manner. An HCP spokesperson said, "Each CCS building (1 through 9), through motifs and calligraphy at the four corners in every building, will represent all 36 states and Union Territories." The new buildings are being developed as green, energy-efficient office spaces. They feature maximised natural lighting, integrated air-conditioning, rainwater harvesting, smart plumbing systems, and centralised building management. Corner amenities include creches, toilets, and gyms, while cafes spill out into shaded courtyards to create vibrant ground-floor spaces. As ministries prepare to shift into new Central Secretariat buildings, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has been assigned the task of preparing a transit plan to manage changing traffic patterns in the area. "We want this zone to be pedestrian- and public transport-friendly. Metro stations are already operational in the area. We've decided to keep the number of parking spots low to discourage car usage," said a senior official. Proposals for walkalators or exclusive internal transport systems linking the buildings have been dropped. However, the final seating plan of ministries may change once at least seven buildings are operational. Officials are considering reshuffling allocations to house related ministries in contiguous spaces for improved coordination. In the interim, temporary accommodation is likely to be arranged in a building developed by NBCC (India) Limited in Netaji Nagar. Originally part of the General Pool Office Accommodation (GPOA), the building-also used by institutions like the South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Centre (SARTTAC)-offers up to 239,000 square metres of office space. The fate of Shastri Bhawan and Nirman Bhavan, key administrative buildings, remains undecided. No final call has been taken on whether they will be demolished. A separate sub-project under the Central Vista redevelopment is focused on restoring the old Parliament building. The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) has been tasked with assessing how to return it to its original form. The decision on its future use awaits clearance from the Prime Minister's Office. In April, HT reported that another major component-the conversion of North and South Blocks into the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum-has moved to tendering stage. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), floated tenders for renovation earlier in 2025, starting with the North Block. Work is underway on CCS 6 and 7, located on the sites of the old vice-president's House and Vigyan Bhawan Annexe. CCS 10 is likely to be the next to be completed, with a July 2025 deadline. To speed up construction, the government has switched from Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) to steel composite structures in CCS 6 and 7. "Aesthetically, the new buildings will look the same. Though steel is costlier upfront, the lower lifecycle cost will balance it," an official said. The new executive enclave, which will house the Prime Minister's Office, is expected to be ready by August. "Work had effectively started in 2021, and by 2028, we will be able to finish 90% of the project," said a senior official. Although the original completion deadline was 2026, delays have pushed it to 2028. Cost escalations have followed. The government has attributed the overruns to inflation, GST hikes, design changes, and rising material and labour costs. While exact figures remain undisclosed, officials privately estimate a 20% rise in costs for the Parliament and vice-president's enclave alone....