New Delhi, India – On August 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan, a modern office complex in New Delhi, marking a significant step in the Central Vista redevelopment project. This state-of-the-art building, known as Kartavya Bhavan-03, is the first of ten planned Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings designed to bring key government ministries under one roof for better coordination and efficiency. The inauguration, attended by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, signals a shift toward modern, citizen-focused governance.
Kartavya Bhavan-03 will house major ministries like Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSME, Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), along with the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office. Many of these ministries currently operate from aging buildings like Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan, built in the 1950s and 1960s, which are now outdated and costly to maintain. The new complex, spanning 1.5 lakh square meters with two basements and seven floors, includes modern amenities like a creche, yoga room, medical room, cafe, and 24 conference rooms to support a productive work environment.
What makes Kartavya Bhavan stand out is its focus on sustainability. The building is designed to use 30% less energy, with features like double-glazed windows to keep it cool and reduce noise, energy-saving LED lights, and smart lifts. Solar panels on the roof will generate over 5.34 lakh units of electricity annually, and solar water heaters will meet more than a quarter of the hot water needs. The campus is also eco-friendly, treating and reusing wastewater, using recycled construction materials, and featuring electric vehicle charging stations. These efforts align with the government’s push for green infrastructure.
The Central Vista project, which includes Kartavya Bhavan, aims to modernize India’s administrative infrastructure by June 2027. Other completed projects include a new Parliament building, the Vice President Enclave, and the revamped Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate. Plans are also underway for an Executive Enclave to house the Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat, and National Security Council Secretariat. However, not everyone is pleased. Some government employees have raised concerns about the open-plan workspaces, citing a lack of privacy for handling sensitive matters, which could affect confidentiality.
The inauguration caused traffic disruptions in New Delhi, with restrictions around key roads like Janpath and Maulana Azad Road due to the presence of dignitaries. Delhi Police made special arrangements, including parking for MPs behind Vigyan Bhawan, to manage the flow. After the event, PM Modi addressed a public gathering at Kartavya Path, emphasizing the government’s vision for efficient governance.
Kartavya Bhavan is more than just a building—it’s a symbol of India’s move toward smarter, greener, and more collaborative administration. With two more CCS buildings nearing completion and the entire project set to finish in the next two years, this is a promising step for the future of governance in India.
