Central Vista: A Costly Vision, A Fading Green Cover
FILE PHOTO: Scene from when work was underway on the Central Vista project in New Delhi. The ₹20,000-crore revamp of Central Vista, launched in 2021 and designed by architect Bimal Patel, involved the transplantation of 3,609 trees. Of these, 1,545 trees have died
The ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continues to face sharp criticism—not just for its escalating financial burden, but now for its significant environmental fallout. In a recent disclosure to the Lok Sabha, the Union government admitted that nearly 43 per cent of the trees transplanted as part of the project have failed to survive, raising serious questions about the ecological planning behind one of India’s most high-profile infrastructure undertakings.
The ₹20,000-crore revamp of Central Vista, launched in 2021 and designed by architect Bimal Patel, involved the transplantation of 3,609 trees. Of these, 1,545 trees died—a figure that environmentalists argue reflects a systemic disregard for ecological sustainability. Tree transplantation, often presented as a mitigation strategy, appears in this case to have been implemented with limited success.
Critics have long warned that such large-scale transplantation efforts are inherently risky, especially in dense urban ecosystems. The high mortality rate now confirmed by the government lends credence to these concerns. Environmental groups argue that the loss of mature trees—many decades old—cannot simply be offset by planting saplings elsewhere.
In its defence, the government has pointed to compensatory afforestation measures. Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu stated in Parliament, “As many as 24,450 trees in NTPC Eco Park, Badarpur, and 1,730 trees in Ghitorni have been planted under compensatory plantation.” He added that ₹5.29 crore has been spent on such efforts over the past three financial years.
However, experts remain unconvinced. They argue that compensatory plantation often fails to replicate the ecological value of established trees, particularly in urban settings where green cover plays a crucial role in regulating temperature, improving air quality, and supporting biodiversity. Saplings planted in peripheral areas cannot replace the environmental services lost in the heart of Delhi.
Political and Public Backlash Intensifies
The environmental concerns surrounding the Central Vista project are not new. Since its inception, the redevelopment has been a flashpoint for political opposition and civil society groups. Critics have repeatedly flagged the lack of transparent environmental impact assessments and questioned the urgency of the project, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have labelled the project a “luxury” initiative, arguing that public funds should have been prioritised for healthcare and economic relief during a national crisis. The project’s cost escalation—from an initial estimate of ₹13,450 crore to nearly ₹20,000 crore—has only added fuel to the criticism.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, whose question prompted the government’s recent disclosure, has been among the vocal critics demanding accountability. The revelation about tree loss is likely to intensify scrutiny of the project’s environmental and financial management.
Legal challenges had also slowed the project in its early stages. In December 2020, the Supreme Court of India ordered a halt to construction and tree transplantation, noting that work had commenced even as legal clearances were under dispute. Although the court eventually approved the project in January 2021, the episode highlighted concerns over procedural transparency and governance.
Despite these controversies, the government has pushed ahead aggressively. The new Parliament building, or Sansad Bhavan, was inaugurated on May 28, 2023. The four-storey triangular structure, built to accommodate up to 1,272 Members of Parliament, represents the most visible symbol of the redevelopment effort.
Yet, even this milestone has not silenced critics. Many argue that the project prioritises monumental architecture over pressing urban and environmental needs. The Central Vista stretch, a 3.2-kilometre corridor housing iconic landmarks such as Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate, has historically served as a vital green lung for the capital. The transformation of this space, critics say, risks undermining its ecological and cultural significance.
The government, on its part, maintains that the redevelopment will modernise India’s administrative infrastructure and improve public access to the area. However, the high rate of tree mortality raises doubts about whether environmental considerations were adequately integrated into the planning process.
As the project nears completion, the focus is increasingly shifting from its architectural achievements to its long-term impact. The loss of nearly half the transplanted trees is not just a statistic—it is a stark indicator of the environmental cost of rapid urban transformation.
In a city already grappling with severe air pollution and shrinking green cover, such losses carry significant consequences. The Central Vista project, envisioned as a symbol of a “New India,” now risks being remembered as a case study in how not to balance development with sustainability.
The question that remains is whether the lessons from this experience will inform future projects—or whether environmental concerns will continue to be sidelined in the pursuit of grand infrastructural visions.
