Modi’s Kartavya Bhawan: Green Today, Grand Tomorrow

Prime Minister Dedicates Kartavya Bhawan to the Nation

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Kartavya Bhawan to the nation today, describing it as a symbol of unwavering resolve and continuous efforts towards public service. He stated that Kartavya Bhawan will not only help in faster delivery of policies and schemes but will also give fresh momentum to the nation’s development. He noted that the building has been developed with full attention given to environmental protection. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also planted a sapling in the premises of Kartavya Bhawan.

Kartavya Bhawan – 03, which is being inaugurated, is part of the broader transformation of the Central Vista. It is the first among several upcoming Common Central Secretariat buildings that aim to streamline administrative processes and enable agile governance. 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. Currently, many key Ministries function from ageing buildings like Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, and Nirman Bhawan, constructed between the 1950s and 1970s, which are now structurally outdated and inefficient. The new facilities will reduce repair and maintenance costs, boost productivity, improve employee well-being, and enhance overall service delivery. Modi remarked that the government will now also save the ₹1,500 crore currently being spent on rent for scattered ministry offices.

Designed to foster efficiency, innovation, and collaboration by bringing together various Ministries and Departments currently scattered across Delhi, Kartavya Bhawan – 03 is a state-of-the-art office complex spanning an area of around 1.5 lakh square metres across two basements and seven levels (Ground + 6 floors). It houses offices of the Ministries/Departments of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSME, DoPT, Petroleum & Natural Gas, and the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA). The new building exemplifies modern governance infrastructure featuring IT-ready and secure workspaces, ID card-based access controls, integrated electronic surveillance, and a centralised command system. It also leads to sustainability, targeting a GRIHA-4 rating with double-glazed façades, rooftop solar, solar water heating, advanced HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, and rainwater harvesting. The facility also aims to promote eco-consciousness through zero-discharge waste management, in-house solid waste processing, e-vehicle charging stations, and extensive use of recycled construction material.

As a zero-discharge campus, Kartavya Bhawan treats and reuses wastewater to meet a major chunk of water needs. The building uses recycled construction and demolition waste in masonry and paving blocks, lightweight dry partitions to reduce topsoil use and structural load, and features an in-house solid waste management system. The building is designed to use 30% less energy. It has special glass windows to keep the building cool and reduce outside noise. Energy-saving 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 Bhawan – 03 will generate over 5.34 lakh units of electricity every year. Solar water heaters meet more than a quarter of the daily hot water needs. Charging stations for electric vehicles are also provided.

Modi, addressing the inauguration programme of Kartavya Bhavan-3 at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, said that for decades after Independence, India’s administrative machinery operated from buildings constructed during the British colonial era. He acknowledged the poor working conditions in these old administrative buildings, which lack adequate space, lighting, and ventilation. He remarked that it is difficult to imagine how an important ministry like the Ministry of Home Affairs has functioned for nearly 100 years from a single building with insufficient infrastructure. Pointing out that various ministries of the Government of India currently operate from 50 different locations across Delhi, Modi said that many of these ministries are functioning out of rented buildings. He underlined that the annual expenditure on rental costs alone is staggering—amounting to ₹1,500 crore. The Prime Minister stated that such a large sum is being spent merely on rent for scattered government offices, emphasising another challenge: the logistical movement of personnel due to this decentralisation. He noted that an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 employees travel daily between ministries, resulting in the movement of hundreds of vehicles, generating high expenditure and increasing traffic congestion. He asserted that the resultant loss of time directly impacts administrative efficiency.

He stated that the building was named ‘Kartavya Bhawan’ after “deep contemplation”, pointing out that both Kartavya Path and Kartavya Bhawan echo the core spirit of India’s democracy and its Constitution. Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, he recalled Lord Krishna’s teachings that one must rise above thoughts of gain or loss and act in the spirit of duty alone. He emphasised that in Indian culture, the word ‘kartavya’ is not limited to responsibility alone but embodies the essence of India’s action-oriented philosophy.

The Prime Minister further described it as a grand perspective that goes beyond the self to embrace the collective, representing the true meaning of kartavya. Remarking that Kartavya is not merely the name of a building, the Prime Minister highlighted that it is the sacred ground for realising the dreams of crores of Indian citizens. “Kartavya is both the beginning and the destiny, bound by compassion and diligence, Kartavya is the thread of action, it is the companion of dreams, the hope of resolutions, and the pinnacle of effort”, said Modi. He expressed that Kartavya is the force of will that lights a lamp in every life, underlining that Kartavya is the foundation for safeguarding the rights of crores of citizens. He further stated that Kartavya is the carrier of the life energy of Maa Bharati and is the chanting of the mantra ‘Nagarik Devo Bhava’. He further added that every act done with devotion towards the nation is Kartavya.

Emphasising that 21st-century India requires 21st-century modern buildings, Modi underlined the need for structures that are exemplary in terms of technology, security, and convenience. He noted that such buildings should enable a comfortable environment for staff, facilitate swift decision-making, and ensure seamless delivery of services.

Stating that large-scale buildings like Kartavya Bhawan are being constructed around Kartavya Path with a holistic vision, the Prime Minister noted that while the first Kartavya Bhawan has been completed, the construction of several other Kartavya Bhavans is progressing rapidly. He highlighted that once these offices are shifted to the new complexes, employees will benefit from an improved working environment along with access to necessary amenities, which in turn will enhance their overall work output. 

Union Ministers, Parliamentarians and officials of the Government of India were present among other dignitaries at the event.

– global bihari bureau