[The] criteria for selection based on financial capabilities appears to be aimed at excluding most architectural firms in the country ...

This intention was evident in the pre-bid meeting for the tender chaired by the CPWD team. The objections of all the architectural firms were responded to cryptically by CPWD, stating that the objections had been noted and would be responded to in due course. They also stated that firms that found the conditions unsuitable were free not to bid for the project. Almost all the architectural firms at the pre-bid meeting were in favour of holding an open design competition in order to finalise the project as per the guidelines of the Council of Architecture, the statutory body of the Government of India formed under the Architects Act 1972.

This was not agreed to by the CPWD officials. Subsequently the earnest money has been reduced to Rs 20 lakh and an honorarium of Rs 5 lakh for valid bidders who submit their designs and panels has been issued apart from a postponement of the submission date by a week by means of an addendum and corrigendum to the bid documents. However, the suggestion of an open design competition among other suggestions as per COA guidelines has been ruled out by the CPWD. It is the norm internationally, and even in India, to award a prestigious project of this nature after an open design competition1. In order to conduct this there must be a project advisory committee of eminent architectural professionals and an internationally renowned jury for selection of the best design

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  • 1. The propensity to ride roughshod over institutional bodies have led to the demolition of prestigious buildings like the Hall of Nations and WHO building but it is this planned destruction of arguably the most loved urbanscape in the country which is truly frightening to comprehend. The lack of sensitivity to urban development issues is however symptomatic of the malaise affecting our built environment where piecemeal decisions like increase in FAR and change of land use are carried out to further vested interests without any thought or consideration for their implications. Professional and public consultations are anathema to the administration which goes about its work in a heavy-handed manner and is forced to deal with issues only when they reach a critical point of no return as most of the urban and environmental disasters in the country would testify.