The Structural Engineer, after discovering that the Hall of Nations may need to be removed to build access tunnels1 to the proposed Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre, close-inspected the foundation plans and related structural drawings on 18th April.

Mahendra Raj had this to say:

"Hall of Nations is founded on piles and if tunnels have to be provided under the building it is very easy to make a layout of the tunnel which avoid these piles.

I have gone through the foundation drawings and [I am] willing to make this categorical statement"

— Mahendra Raj, 18th April 2017.

  • 1. In addition to roads directly related to Pragati Maidan, a tunnel to take traffic from Purana Quila Road to Outer Ring Road will be excavated under the fair ground. It may later be extended to Geeta Colony Road near the Vikas Marg loop, enabling central Delhi one more link with east Delhi. Source: ToI
Mahendra Raj inspecting the foundation plans of the Hall of Nations on 18th April, 2017
Mahendra Raj inspecting the foundation plans of the Hall of Nations on 18th April, 2017 - The Structural Engineer, after discovering that the Hall of Nations may need to be removed to build access tunnels to the proposed Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre, close-inspected the foundation plans and related structural drawings, had this to say. "HALL OF NATIONS IS FOUNDED ON PILES AND IF TUNNELS HAVE TO BE PROVIDED UNDER THE BUILDING IT IS VERY EASY TO MAKE A LAYOUT OF THE TUNNEL WHICH AVOID THESE PILES. I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE FOUNDATION DRAWINGS AND [I AM] WILLING TO MAKE THIS CATEGORICAL STATEMENT" - MAHENDRA RAJ, APRIL 18TH 2017   © Rohit Raj Mehndiratta