Critics of Central Vista were silent on hutments: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took on critics of the central vista project while inaugurating the new office complexes for the ministry of defence, saying that the critics never spoke about the condition of the hutments that housed thousands of officials around the South Block. Instead, they were spreading misinformation, he said.

The PM said the government is focused on ease of living and doing business, with modern infrastructure like the new complexes playing an important role. Making a point that the decades-old hutments –– some of which were erstwhile stables –– were spread across a large part of central Delhi, the PM said there are some who keep criticising the government’s work “day and night”.

“Today, Delhi is progressing in line with the vision of a ‘New India’. These new office complexes will now enable our military to operate in better working conditions with all modern amenities,” he said, adding that work has been done in record time to complete the buildings.


“The work, which was to be completed in 24 months, has been done in a record time of only 12 months. Hundreds of workers got employment in this project during the Covid-19 pandemic,” the PM added.

Emphasising that the new project will increase efficiency and comfort of the military personnel, the PM said many hutments that have now been shifted were built during World War II and were originally stables meant for horses.

The point was also made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who said “Previous buildings were in a bad shape and affecting the working conditions of our officers. Optimum utilisation of space was not done, which is why this complex has been brought up. Over 7,000 workers can be accommodated in good working conditions”.

The PM inaugurated two 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.

The PM said critics of the project never bothered to look at the condition of the hutments being used by the armed forces personnel. “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,” the PM said.