Costing Rs 602 crore, UP's new seat of power inaugurated

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday inaugurated his new office, which will also house offices of some ministers and senior bureaucrats.

The Lok Bhawan, just across the sprawling Vidhan Sabha and built at a whopping cost of Rs 602 crore, will now be the seat of power, replacing the five-storey 'Shastri Bhawan' which for decades has housed the Chief Minister's office.

Accompanied by his father and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Chief Minister also spoke to media persons present.

He also chaired his first cabinet meeting in the plush building, spread over 6.3 acres in the heart of the state capital.

The office has been built with stone cladding, has reflective glass, and is sound insulated with double vacuum glass. While it will have a 24x7 power supply through a 33 kv sub-station, powerful generators have also been installed to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

The first floor has a 602-seat auditorium. More than 1,300 officials and government employees will be sitting in the building which has three blocks.

The building has a 22,000 square metres basement which will be used for car parking, with space for 392 vehicles, and as a guard room.

The present office at Vidhan Sabha was 90 years old and with time, required many changes and hence the new building, officials said.

The Lok Bhawan, whose construction began in 2014, also has latest facilities like central air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, CCTVs, TV studio, media waiting room, VVIP lounge and other facilities.

--IANS

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