New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new complex of multi-storey flats for parliamentarians on Monday, encouraging MPs to celebrate India’s diverse festivals within their residential premises and to compete in maintaining cleanliness.
Taking a subtle dig at his opponents, Modi noted that while some might associate “Kosi” — the name of one of the four towers named after rivers — with the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, he reminded them that naming towers after rivers is a unifying tradition. The newly constructed complex on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, near Parliament House, consists of 184 type-VII multi-storey flats.
Modi highlighted the long-standing shortage of residences for MPs, mentioning that first-time members often struggled to find housing. He pointed out that no new residences for Lok Sabha MPs were built between 2004 and 2014 during the Congress-led UPA government, whereas his administration has constructed around 350 such units.
“The India of the 21st century is both sensitive and eager for development,” he said, citing his government’s achievements including building a new government secretariat, a new Parliament building, over four crore homes for the poor, hundreds of medical colleges, and expanding piped water supply to households.
The prime minister described the old MPs’ houses as dilapidated and problematic, assuring that the new flats—each with a carpet area exceeding 5,000 sq ft—would offer modern, comfortable living. He emphasized that when MPs are free from housing concerns, they can better focus on addressing the problems faced by the public.
These new residences will also reduce government expenditure, as significant funds were previously spent maintaining the old buildings, he added.
Highlighting the diversity of MPs from various states and regions living together in the complex, Modi said it exemplifies the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. He encouraged collective celebrations of different states’ festivals and invited MPs to involve their constituents in these events.
Modi urged residents to prioritize sustainability and cleanliness within the complex. He proposed organizing cleanliness competitions two to three times a year among the different residential blocks, declaring winners and even noting the least clean areas to motivate improvement.
The complex is designed to be self-sufficient and equipped with modern amenities to meet the functional needs of parliamentarians, according to an official statement. Built incorporating green technology, it meets GRIHA 3-star rating standards and complies with the National Building Code 2016, promoting energy conservation, renewable energy use, and effective waste management.
Each unit offers ample space for both residential and official purposes. Dedicated areas for offices, staff accommodations, and a community center will assist MPs in fulfilling their duties as public representatives.
