Kartavya Bhavan 3: PM Modi to inaugurate new home of MHA, MEA on August 6

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Kartavya Bhavan, the new home of the Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs, among other key segments. A government statement said the new complex will foster efficiency, innovation, and collaboration by bringing together various ministries and departments. The building will also be designed for energy efficiency and water management.

After the inauguration on August 6, the Prime Minister will also address a public gathering. “This will mark a major milestone in the government’s commitment to the Prime Minister’s vision of modern, efficient, and citizen-centric governance. Kartavya Bhavan-03, which is being inaugurated, is part of the broader transformation of the Central Vista,” a statement said.

The complex is the first among 10 Common Central Secretariat buildings that aim to streamline administrative processes and enable agile governance. According to an official estimate, the government will save nearly Rs 1,000 crore in costs by assembling all departments in one place. Currently, government departments are scattered, and many are even rented.

The project embodies the government’s broader administrative reform agenda. “By co-locating ministries and adopting cutting-edge infrastructure, the Common Central Secretariat will improve inter-ministerial coordination, accelerate policy execution, and foster a responsive administrative ecosystem,” the government said.

Besides vacating the North and South Blocks on Raisina Hill, key ministries functioning from aging buildings like Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, and Nirman Bhawan, constructed between the 1950s and 1970s, will also move to Kartavya Bhavan. The old buildings are structurally outdated and inefficient, whereas the new facilities will reduce repair and maintenance costs, boost productivity, improve employee well-being, and enhance overall service delivery.

Kartavya Bhavan-03 will be a state-of-the-art office complex spanning an area of around 1.5 lakh square meters across two basements and seven levels (Ground + 6 floors). It will house offices of the Ministries/Departments of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSME, DoPT, Petroleum & Natural Gas, and the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA).

FEATURES

* IT-ready, secure workspaces, ID card-based access controls, integrated electronic surveillance, centralised command system; double-glazed façades, solar water heating, advanced HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems

* Will use 30 per cent less energy; will have special glass windows to keep the building cool and reduce outside noise; LED lights, sensors that switch off lights when not needed, smart lifts that save power, and an advanced system to manage electricity use will all help save energy

* Solar panels on the roof of Kartavya Bhavan-03 will generate over 5.34 lakh units of electricity every year