The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, approved the proposal of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) to redevelop Pragati Maidan into a world class Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) at a cost of ₹2,254 crore.

The redevelopment project is envisaged in two phases. The first phase is expected to be competed by May 2019, and will be capable of hosting global conferences and exhibitions.

The decision to redevelop Pragati Maidan has been taken as the facilities at present fall short of international standards.

Opposition to plan

It has also been proposed that to ease road congestion, a flyover will be built at the junction of Mathura Road and Bhairon Road and there will be a subway connecting Mathura Road to Ring Road across Pragati Maidan.

The redevelopment project has been opposed by various sections as the plan proposes to bring down two iconic buildings -- the ‘Hall of Nations’ and the ‘Nehru Pavilion’ -- at the Pragati Maidan.

The two structures were designed by famed architect Raj Rewal and constructed in 1972.

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The Indian Institute of Architects had also made several appeals to the government to save the buildings, which it had described as “testimony to the nation's prowess in structural engineering and architecture”.