Ref. No. CA/80/2019/AOA(CPWD)
September 09, 2019Shri Hardeep Singh Puri Ji
Hon'ble Minister of State (I/C)
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Nirman Bhavan
New Delhi –110 011
Subject: Consultancy Services for Development/ Redevelopment of Parliament Building, Common Central Secretariat & Central Vista at New Delhi – reg.
Respected Sir,
May I invite your kind attention to recent Notice published by CPWD for appointment of consultant for providing consultancy services for comprehensive Architectural & Engineering Planning for the "Development/Redevelopment of Parliament building, Common Secretariat and Central Vista at New Delhi".
Sir, as you are aware, the Parliament of India enacted the Architects Act, 1972 and established Council of Architecture under the act to regulate the Architectural Education and Profession in the country and to prescribe the standards of architectural education and profession.
The Council of Architecture welcomes this initiative of the Government of India for development/redevelopment of Parliament building, Common Secretariat and Central Vista whichare of highest national importance and requires the best of services including design, planning and development.
Looking at the highly prestigious nature of the project which is bound to become a new epitome of national pride & heritage for the country, the Council of Architecture deems it its duty to offer following suggestions for the kind consideration and decision by the Government of India on selection/ appointment of Architects of the project.
- A project of such high profile in nature as the Parliament Building and its Secretariat & offices, should be executed on the basis of 'Best Design Solution and Concept' rather than on the basis of low bid-price as has been called for. This will ensure that only the best concept & design is selected for a building which shall showcase the embodiment of Indian democracy and its values to the world.
- To meet the highest standards of design & quality for the project, it is most appropriate to conduct an 'Open Architectural Design competition' for selecting 'Best Creative Design Solution' among the Designs submitted by Architects as per the Architectural Competiton Guidelines prescribed by the Council of Architecture which is a very fair and transparent procedure for selection. When it is said Architectural Services, it means Comprehensive Services inclusive of all engineering aspects to the extent as required thereof to the design submitted.
- The Architects Act, 1972 provides that only an individual architect or a firm of architects (partnership firm) can represent as an architect and use the title and style of Architect for practicing the profession of an Architect in India, as per the standards of professional conduct and etiquette and code of ethics prescribed by the Council. Thus, conduct of Architectural Design Competiton would not only ensure that only a competent professional is selected for providing professional & comprehensive architectural services of a highest standard but also help in fixing the responsibility & liability of an architect in case of any deficiency in the services provided.
- The Architects, being professionals like Doctors, Advocates, Chartered Accountants whose conduct and ethics are regulated an governed under the Architects Act, 1972, should not be insisted to pay processing fees, deposit of earnest money, bid security money or quote lowest fee in lines of contractors for rendering professional services. Instead, fees in percentage for providing comprehensive services need to be fixed as prescribed by the Council of Architecture. This will ensure that selection of Architect is purely based on the delivery of Best Design Solution.
- The insistence of stringent eligibility criteria such as high annual turn over (running in crores) for selection of architect shall deprive many competent architects and their firms from participating in the project vis-a-vis foreign architects and therefore, needs to be reconsidered. It is therefore necessary that Architectural Design Competiton may be conducted so that Indian architects can compete fairly.
The Council of Architecture shall be at back and call of the Central Government in achieving best 'State of Art' Design Solution for the Parliament House and Central Secretariat Complex, Rajasva Bhavan, Videsh Bhavan and other important public buildings.
The Council requests your honour to kindly consider the above favorably in the national interest which will not only ensure best of professional services for such a landmark and prestigious project of our Government but also, at the same time, the compliance of the various statutory provisions and guidelines prescribed by the Council under the provisions of the Architects Act, 1972.
A copy of the Handbook of Professional Document which contains Act, Rules Regulations, Conditions of Engagement & Scale of Charges, Architectural Competition Guidelines, etc. is enclosed herewith for your ready reference.
The Council looks forward to an appropriate direction from your good offices in the matter.
With warm regards,
Yours sincerely,
Ar. Vijay Garg
Acting President
Encl.: as above
Copy to. for information, please:
The Director General
Central Public Works Department
A-Wing, Room No.-101
Nirman Bhavan
New Delhi –110 011