A social media post which claims that the TATA group, as a gift to the nation, is constructing the New Parliament building at a cost of only 1 rupee, is being widely shared. Through this article, let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: TATA is building the New Parliament at a cost of only 1 rupee.
Fact: Tata Projects Limited secured the contract to construct the new Parliament building for Rs. 861.9 crores. However, in January 2022, CPWD estimated an increase in the cost of construction by 29% to a little over 1200 crore rupees. Hence, the cost of construction is borne by the government, i.e. tax payers money. Further, the building, for which foundation stone was laid in December 2020, is yet to be completed. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
Construction of the New Parliament building is part of the central government’s flagship Central Vista project. Central Public Works Department, the nodal agency for construction of the Central Vista as well as the new Parliament building.
According to a written response in the Lok Sabha from December 2021, the estimated cost of the new Parliament building is Rs. 971 crores and is estimated to be completed by October 2022.
Tata Secured the bid:
In September 2020 Tata Projects Limited secured the contract to construct the new Parliament building for Rs. 861.9 crores. Tata secured the project quoting lower than L&T’s bid of 865 crore rupees. Several news agencies reported the news back then, these reports can be viewed here & here.
Accordingly on 10 December 2020, Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the construction of the new Parliament, and it was reported that the construction would complete in 2022.
Cost shot up & deadline is extended:
However, as per the news reports in January 2022, CPWD increased cost of construction by about 29% to over 1250 crore rupees. Reportedly, CPWD has sought in-principal approval of the Lok Sabha Secretariat in this regard (here & here).
Recently Prime Minister Modi made a visit to the new Parliament building and as per reports, the construction is nearing completion and is expected to be inaugurated soon.
Thus, this establishes that Tata group is neither building the new Parliament building free of cost nor the construction is expected to complete in record time of seventeen months, as claimed.
To sum it up, no, Tata group is not constructing the new Parliament building free of cost.
