Now a common complex for VVIP memorials in Delhi

A complex spread over nearly five acres of land will come up along the Yamuna bank to be the common site for memorials for VVIPs.
The complex, 'Rashtriya Smriti', will be constructed as the government has decided to do away with the practice of having separate memorials for VVIPs in view of paucity of space in the national capital.
The complex is to be constructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) within 18 months after various clearances at an estimated cost of Rs 37 crore.
The decision to build a common complex was taken by the Union Cabinet last week considering that fact that about 245 acres of prime land is already occupied by separate memorials of national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

"We have in mind around 18 months as the target time after all the go-aheads like environmental clearance, DUAC approval are obtained," Urban Development secretary Sudhir Krishna told PTI.
Earlier in the week, the Cabinet had given its approval to the construction of the 'Rashtriya Smriti' as there was paucity of land in the samadhis complex for construction of individual memorials.

"The decision to construct a common memorial is a far sighted one. And now the CPWD with help from the ministry would work for the creation of a place that is where people can come with there families and pay homage," Krishna said.

Well placed sources said at the moment, it was estimated that a budget of nearly Rs 37 crore would be required for the memorial.
"Primarily the work that is required to be done is related to the landscaping of the area as not too much construction activity is needed as per the plan that the CPWD is presently looking at," an official said.