India is witnessing an urban renaissance: Hardeep Singh Puri

NEW DELHI: Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, addressed the gathering at 168^th Annual Day celebrations of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). He said, “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.”

Puri praised the active role played by CPWD, as one of the oldest serving government departments, in the development of socio-political landscape of the National Capital Region of Delhi. The minister also highlighted that the department has been part of some of the most exquisite projects, such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan, North and South Block, and Parliament House of the country. Also, the department is contributing to the development of the Central Vista project, including the New Parliament House, Common Central Secretariat and Vice-President Enclave. Apart from the projects inside the country, the department has also constructed the parliament of Afghanistan.

He added that today, we are not constructing to meet the needs of today or tomorrow, but of the next 250 years. The department is inculcating sustainable and environment friendly technology to minimise carbon footprint of the construction processes and buildings. Thus, advancing towards a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive future for the country.  Puri felicitated several officials and employees of CPWD, and released the publication of the department and six modules of the revamped website. Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India; Shailendra Sharma, Director General, CPWD, and various other dignitaries were present during the event.