Maha Vista Initiative: New Legislative Building to Accommodate 350 Members

Mumbai, Dec 9 (NationPress) After being re-elected as the Maharashtra Speaker for a second consecutive term, Rahul Narwekar, the BJP legislator representing Colaba, unveiled his ambitious vision for the Maha Vista Initiative. This initiative entails the construction of a new legislative building with a sitting capacity for 350 legislators.

The proposed facility will be constructed next to the current Vidhan Bhavan, located at Nariman Point.

“The existing Vidhan Bhavan has been operational since 1980. The Lower House can accommodate 300 members, but the new building will allow for 350 members to sit comfortably,” stated Rahul Narwekar following his unanimous election as Assembly Speaker.

He also announced plans for the complete digitization of legislative operations within the next two years.

Narwekar expressed his intention to establish a central hall at Nagpur's legislative campus, stating, “There has been no central hall in Nagpur, and I believe it should be constructed. I will advocate for its establishment there.”

The current strength of the Maharashtra Assembly stands at 288. The House can accommodate approximately 305-310 MLAs with some adjustments in seating arrangements.

However, with a delimitation exercise anticipated by 2026, the Assembly's strength could increase to 350, adding at least 60 seats. The need for a larger House is imminent, and the Maha Vista Initiative, modeled after the Central Vista project in Delhi, is poised for significant advancement.

This project was initially announced in February 2024 by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar during his budget address. With an estimated budget of Rs 7500 crore, the entire Mantralaya, ministers' bungalows, new secretariat, and legislative complex will undergo renovation.

In August, the state Public Works Department (PWD) sought global tenders for the designs of the ministers' bungalows and Mantralaya. Future tenders will be issued for the redevelopment of Vidhan Bhavan.

Narwekar acknowledged the situation where legislators have been without an MLA hostel for six years due to ongoing redevelopment of the Majestic and Manora MLA hostels. “The Majestic MLA hostel will be completed within a year, and the Manora MLA hostel will follow in two years,” he elaborated.

With screens installed on the desks of all MLAs, the Speaker affirmed that the entire legislative process will transition to digital format within the next two years.

“From submitting questions to receiving responses from ministers' offices, it will be a paperless building. The digital system will aid MLAs in coming prepared as well,” he remarked.

Narwekar disclosed that the library and reference sections are currently being digitized, allowing members to access legislative records at the click of a button.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)