PM Modi inaugurates two new defence office complexes in Delhi
New Delhi, (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at critics of the ambitious Central Vista project, and asserted that ease of living and ease of doing business was behind the spirit of the work being done under the initiative.
Modi made the remarks after inaugurating two new multi-storey swanky office complexes at Kasturba Gandhi Marg and Africa Avenue for over 7,000 employees of the Defence Ministry and the armed forces.
"Today, in the 75th year of Independence, we are taking another step towards developing the capital of our country according to the needs and aspirations of the new India," Modi said.
"These new defence office complexes are going to further strengthen our efforts to make the working of our forces more convenient and effective," Modi said.
The prime ministers said the modern offices will go a long way in effectively carrying out all the work related to the security of the nation by the three forces.
"This is a big step towards the creation of a modern defence enclave in the capital," he said.
The officers and other staffers of the Defence Ministry and the armed forces are moving into the new office complexes from their existing workplaces in pre-Independence era hutments in and around the Raisina Hills.
In his address, Modi criticised those who were opposed to the Central Vista project saying they never bothered to find out how the armed forces personnel were working in those hutments.
"When we talk about the capital, it is not just a city. The capital of any country is a symbol of the thinking, determination, strength and culture of that country," Modi said.
"India is the mother of democracy. Therefore, the capital of India should be such that its central focus should be people," he said.
The two buildings, constructed by the Housing and Urban Affairs with resources allocated by the Defence Ministry, have an office space of 9.60 lakhs sq feet.
"Today, when we are focusing on ease of living and ease of doing business, modern infrastructure plays an equally important role in this. This is the spirit at the core of the work being done today related to Central Vista," the prime minister said.
Modi also said that he was confident that work on the new Parliament building will be completed on time.
Fourteen offices are being relocated to the KG Marg complex having a built-up area of 4.52 lakh sq feet while 13 offices are being relocated to the Africa Avenue building that has a total built-up area of 5.08 lakh sq feet, officials said.
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Another bridge collapses in Bihar's Siwan district, seventh such incident in 15 days
Siwan (Bihar) (PTI): In a troubling trend for Bihar, a portion of a bridge over Gandaki river in Siwan district collapsed on Wednesday morning, marking the seventh such incident in the state within the past 15 days.
The small bridge, situated in the district's Deoria block, connects several villages with Mahrajganj.
No casualties have been reported so far. This is the second incident of bridge collapse in Siwan in the last 11 days.
Deputy Development Commissioner Mukesh Kumar said the exact cause is under investigation. Senior officials from the block have already reached the site, he added.
"A portion of a bridge in Deoria block collapsed this morning. The exact cause is not known so far. Senior officials of the block have reached the spot and I am also going there," he added.
"The incident took place around 5 am. As per initial information, the bridge was constructed in 1982-83. Repair work was going on the bridge for the last few days," Kumar added.
Villagers suggested that heavy rainfall over the preceding days may have contributed to the collapse, with a surge in Gandaki river potentially weakening the bridge's structure.
This incident follows another bridge collapse in Siwan just 11 days ago, underscoring growing concerns over the state of infrastructure in Bihar. On June 22, a portion of a bridge collapsed in Darounda area.
Similar incidents have been reported in districts like Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj recently, prompting the Bihar government to set up a high-level committee to investigate these occurrences.
