 "Kartavya Bhavan will bring all central government ministries into one place. Screengrab/ IMage courtesy: X/@mygovindia")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Kartavya Bhavan, the first of ten planned Central Secretariat buildings, at Kartavya Path on Wednesday.
Known as CCS-3, this is the first step in a larger plan to bring all central government ministries into one place. Right now, most ministries are scattered across old, colonial-era buildings in Lutyens’ Delhi. The idea is to fix that and bring everyone together under one roof to make things more efficient.
The makeover of the staid, dilapidated central government offices is one of the most ambitious urban development projects of Lutyens’ Delhi and is part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project , which was launched in 2019.
Here’s a look at what the new building brings to the table.
Key features of Kartavya Bhavan
Kartavya Bhavan-3, the soon-to-be-inaugurated building under the Central Secretariat Complex (CCS), is a massive seven-storey structure with two basements, sprawling across nearly 1.5 lakh square metres.
It’s been built to bring together ministries that were earlier scattered across buildings like Shastri Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Vayu Bhawan, and more.
While most ministries will now move to Kartavya Bhavan, some buildings will continue to house specific departments. For instance, Vanijya Bhawan will still be home to the commerce ministry, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan will continue to host the external affairs ministry.
Other heritage buildings like the National Museum and Ambedkar Auditorium will also be retained, as per The Print.
Built to be greener & smarter
According to The Print, the structure includes several eco-friendly features: double-glazed windows and a façade to improve insulation, reduce external noise, and prevent condensation.
The building uses energy-efficient LED lighting, a smart air-conditioning system, and both occupancy and daylight sensors, all of which are expected to reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent.
Solar power is another key feature. A rooftop solar panel system with a capacity of 366 kWp is expected to generate over 5.34 lakh units of electricity annually. An additional 200 kW system is also planned for the security building’s rooftop.
The Bhavan is designed to be a zero-discharge facility. It will treat and reuse 1.1 million litres of wastewater per day, covering 60 per cent of the building’s daily requirement. Rainwater harvesting systems have been installed to provide drinking water.
From dual plumbing systems and drip irrigation to low-flow taps and sensor-based urinals, every drop of water will be put to smart use. The building also features drinking water fountains designed for efficiency.
Waste isn’t wasted either. An in-house system will handle 1,000 kg of organic waste daily, converting it into manure.
Biometric entry, open office spaces
The CCS will feature a modern access system. Entry into Kartavya Bhavan will be managed through smart ID cards, used not just for identification but also to control access for both officials and visitors.
All employees have been asked to fill out an online form, submit photographs, and complete biometric authentication through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“This is a new smart card system and is proposed to be in place. The Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) is installed inside the office buildings. This new smart card, which will replace the identity card, will be used to authenticate Government officers’ entry inside the buildings, thereby is better for security purposes,” said Dev Gupta, president of the Central Secretariat Service Forum, in a statement to The Hindustan Times.
Security will be tight, with CCTV cameras on every floor, power fencing on boundary walls, and an integrated command and control centre that will oversee all movement within the Central Vista area.
The new secretariat is well-equipped for official meetings and coordination. There are 24 large conference rooms, each with a 45-person capacity, along with 26 smaller rooms for 25 participants, and 67 compact meeting spaces designed for teams of nine.
It also has features open office spaces, which are typical in corporate offices. However, several senior officers have voiced concerns about these shared spaces, saying they could compromise privacy and confidentiality. Some have requested private chambers to ensure secure conversations and paperwork.
In total, Kartavya Bhavan will be one of ten new buildings in the CCS that will accommodate various ministries. While many ministries have already started shifting into the new premises, CCS buildings 1 and 2 are still under construction. According to Housing Secretary K Srinivas, the full complex will be ready by mid-2027.
With input from agencies