Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri has said that India is witnessing an urban renaissance and the architectural wonders of Rashtrapati Bhavan and various other monuments are a testimony to our architectural expertise of pre-Independent India.
Addressing the gathering at the 168th Annual Day celebrations of Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Puri said that CPWD has steered important public works over the years, and has become a leading enterprise in the field of construction management.
As one of the oldest-serving government department, CPWD has witnessed many seismic shifts in the socio-political landscape of the capital region and other parts of the country, he added.
The Minister said that from the days of British rule to post-independence, and now to the 21st century, CPWD has been a constant and reassuring presence. The true character of an institution is reflected in how well it adapts itself with time. Since its inception, CPWD has continuously evolved to meet the needs of the nation, he added.
Stating that CPWD developed the National Capital Region in New Delhi with the execution of projects such as Rashtrapati Bhawan, North and South Block, and Parliament House, among other equally iconic projects, Puri said that even today, it is making a significant contribution to governance through the rejuvenation of the Central Vista project, with the development of the New Parliament Building, VP Enclave, and Common Central Secretariat.
CPWD’s good work has even transcended national boundaries: the Afghanistan Parliament was constructed by the CPWD, and it remains a sign of India’s unwavering friendship with the Afghan people, he added.
