Aesthetically elegant, state-of-the-art, quake resistant and inspired by Lutyen's Central Vista, 26 special type flats for Rajya Sabha Members were inaugurated by Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi on Monday.
Built in the heart of the national capital in the high-security VIP zone of Bishambar Dass Marg, the 227 sq metre four-bedroom flats are expected to reduce the shortage of accommodation faced by the parliamentarians.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of Opposition in the Upper House Jaswant Singh, Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Rahman Khan, House Committee Chairman Raju Parmar and Secretary General Yogendra Narain joined Shekhawat in unveiling the plaque and the 'Grih Pravesh'.
Displaying his characteristic wit, Shekhawat, who is also the Rajya Sabha Chairperson, said he hoped that the MPs residing in the flats would have no tension on account of the amenities and consequently will not give trouble to him inside the House.
Complimenting the CPWD for the "exceedingly good job", the Prime Minister said housing was a basic necessity, more so for MPs "coming from different parts of the country".
{{/usCountry}}Complimenting the CPWD for the "exceedingly good job", the Prime Minister said housing was a basic necessity, more so for MPs "coming from different parts of the country".
{{/usCountry}}He expressed happiness that the quake-proof flats also have taken into account environmental and technological concerns.
The Vice-President assured the MPs that the building named 'Brahmaputra' was "very strong" as stones from his native state Rajasthan were used in it.
He expressed the hope that Parliamentarians residing there would be able to give a "good message" to the nation and that they would invite him for their house warming parties.
"If the MPs are in tension, it spells trouble for me and the Lok Sabha Speaker," Shekhawat said.
Reddy said the flats with two staff quarters each was built at a total cost of Rs 14.3 crores "without escalation and cost overruns".
"With comfortable furnishings, it is aesthetically elegant without being opulent," he said.
The Urban Development Minister said the building was the first of three such blocks, with the other two being built for Lok Sabha Members.
With an artificial water fall at the entrance, the eight-storey building has provision for rain water harvesting and recycled water for flushing.
Solar heating with electric backup, video door phone system, cable TV and Internet connection points, modular kitchen with electric chimney, rust free copper pipes for cold water supply, polypropylene pipes for hot water supply and environmental friendly PNG supply in individual houses are among the other modern amenities the flats are equipped with.