No more 'Central Vista': Precinct renamed 'Kartavya Bhawan Area', says Union Minister Manohar Lal

The Central Vista redevelopment precinct in New Delhi will henceforth be known as “Kartavya Bhawan Area” or “Kartavya Bhawan Complex”, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs. Manohar Lal said this on Sunday, PTI reported. The minister added that the term “Central Vista” should no longer be used in official references.

In a speech at the foundation day celebrations of the Central Department of Public Works (CPWD), the minister said that the revised nomenclature should be reflected in all government documents and communications.

“Until now we have repeatedly referred to it as ‘Central Vista’. Please call it ‘Kartavya Bhawan Complex’ or ‘Kartavya Bhawan Area’ from now on. The name Central Vista has now been changed. It should not be called by this name in future,” Manohar Lal said, as quoted by PTI.

The new identity of the reconstructed government precinct

The minister reportedly said that the entire zone, including the existing and upcoming Kartavya Bhawans, Kartavya Marg and future government buildings constructed in the area, will be collectively known as the Kartavya Bhawan Area, under which the Center plans to construct 10 joint central secretariat buildings to house various ministries. Three of these buildings are already completed.

The minister said the newly constructed structures will become a permanent part of Indian history, much like the iconic government buildings built in the national capital about a century ago.

According to PTI, Manohar Lal said future generations will remember those who were involved in creating the new government complex, just as people today remember those who built the historic administrative buildings in Delhi.

“A nation’s capital is not built repeatedly in quick succession. Just as we remember those who built iconic buildings 100 years ago, generations will remember those who built these Kartavya Bhawans. That is our luck,” he said.

The renaming follows a wider effort to replace colonial-era names

According to PTI, the latest move follows the government’s earlier decision to rename Rajpath as Kartavya Path in 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the renamed ceremonial boulevard stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate.

Subsequently, the newly constructed government office buildings along the avenue were named Kartavya Bhawans, while the new complex housing the Prime Minister’s Office, the Cabinet Secretariat and the National Security Adviser’s office was named Seva Teerth.