New Delhi — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-03, the first Common Central Secretariat building under the Central Vista redevelopment plan, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Accompanied by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, PM Modi also inspected the newly built complex, which marks a significant shift in the nation’s administrative landscape.
Kartavya Bhavan-03 is the first among a series of integrated secretariat buildings intended to replace ageing government structures like Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, and Udyog Bhawan. These buildings, constructed between the 1950s and 1970s, have long been deemed inefficient and costly to maintain. The new facility aims to centralize ministries, enhance coordination, reduce operational expenses, and support agile governance.
Spanning approximately 1.5 lakh square meters across two basement levels and seven upper floors, the office complex will house the Ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSME, DoPT, Petroleum & Natural Gas, and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser. According to the PMO, Kartavya Bhavan sets a benchmark for next-generation government infrastructure, offering IT-ready and secure workspaces equipped with ID-based access systems, integrated surveillance, and centralized command operations.
The building also sets new sustainability standards, targeting a GRIHA-4 rating. It incorporates solar panels generating over 5.34 lakh units of electricity annually, solar water heating systems, rainwater harvesting, zero-discharge wastewater recycling, and in-house solid waste management. Recycled construction and demolition waste have been used throughout the building, while features like smart lighting, noise-insulating glass, energy-efficient lifts, and dry partitions help reduce energy use and environmental impact.
Designed to operate with 30% less energy, the structure includes electric vehicle charging stations and utilizes materials that reduce the use of topsoil and structural load. All of this reflects the government’s vision for an eco-friendly, digitally advanced, and people-centric administration.
Later in the evening, the Prime Minister is scheduled to address a public gathering at Kartavya Path, further underlining the national significance of the project.
