Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The government has withdrawn its decision to renovate Satpura and Vindhyachal Bhawan and instead decided to go for new construction at the place of old buildings. A comprehensive planning is being done in this regard. As things are at discussion level the cost of the entire project, to be known as Capital Complex is yet to be estimated.
As far as initial plan is concerned, first Satpura Bhawan will be demolished to construct a new modern building and its entire floor area will be used. Notably, a massive fire incident occurred in 2023 which damaged Satpura Bhawan in a vast scale.
Earlier Public Works Department (PWD) had shown interest to renovate Satpura and Vindhyachal Bhawan. After coming to know that renovation of Satpura Bhawan will require around Rs 250 crore, the government decided to shelve the entire renovation plan.
Later, it was decided that Building Development Corporation (BDC) shall go for construction of new buildings in place of both the old ones which are decades old and their design is also outdated. Now, officials of Building Development Corporation (BDC) are doing necessary things to come up with the draft plan to demolish both old buildings and to construct new modern buildings in place of them. It plans to demolish Satpura Bhawan in the first phase.
A senior officer of BDC said that things are at discussion level. He added that new buildings, to be constructed on the line of Central Vista of Delhi and to be named as Capital Complex will accommodate all Directorates of different departments.
Apart from this, there is plan to refurbish infrastructure situated around Vallabh Bhawan. Anil Shrivastava, Engineer in Chief, Building Development Corporation said that as far as building new construction in place of Satpura and Vindhyachal Bhawan is concerned, discussion is being done over what shall be the concept. Things will begin to materialise in the coming time.
Blast in ACs led to massive fire
When fire engulfed Satpura Bhawan in 2023, it was found that it erupted due to blast in ACs and massive wooden work done in rooms. The building also has narrow pathways and has no adequate light arrangement.
