The scene for the demolition of Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan in Delhi

Workers load air conditioning units onto a truck at Shastri Bhawan as the Central Public Works Department begins the process of clearing the building by the end of September ahead of its planned demolition to make way for new ‘Kartavya Bhawan’ blocks under the Central Vista redevelopment project in New Delhi on September 22, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

The iconic Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan buildings in Delhi, which house several central government complexes, have been asked to be vacated by September 30 so that they can be demolished to make way for the construction of new Kartavya Bhawan 4 and 5 offices.

According to the Central Public Works Department’s (CPWD) letter dated September 16, the release of the complexes by September 30 is essential to facilitate timely handover of the site to the implementing agency and enable construction work to commence as per schedule.

The estimated cost of the Kartavya Bhawan 4 and 5 projects is about ₹ 3,100 crore, according to the CPWD tender documents, and the construction is likely to be completed in two years.

Though most of the ministries have shifted, there are still many officials operating out of Krishi Bhawan as they have not yet been allocated space for relocation, sources said.

Named after India’s second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, Shastri Bhawan has served as the headquarters for ministries as diverse as Information and Broadcasting, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Corporate Affairs, Coal, Education, Law and Justice, Sports and Youth Affairs, Tribal Affairs and Women and Child Development.

Krishi Bhawan also housed many ministries, including agriculture, rural development and panchayati raj.

The Central Vista Master Plan envisages the replacement of several existing government office buildings with new secretariat facilities. Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan are among the existing office complexes earmarked for redevelopment.

Published – 22 Sep 2026 20:37 IST