Important Buildings in New Delhi- It is not an easy task to separate a few from others. Every building has its own enchantment, beauty, significance elegance and value. Some are politically important, some commercially, some educationally, some culturally, some historically while others aesthetically. You must see them to understand the real importance of the buildings.These Buildings are treasures not only of Delhi, but of India as a whole.

PARLIAMENT HOUSE

It is here that bills are passed. It is here that India is shaped and reshaped and foreign relations are talked about. It is here that pains are addressed and measures are taken to achieve a mutual goal.

It is here that trespassers are really prosecuted! Welcome to the Parliament House or Sansad Bhawan, as it is commonly known.

Although it is large and imposing in its demeanour, the Sansad building stands almost hidden and virtually unnoticed at the end of Sansad Marg (Parliament Street), just north of Rajpath. Despite the humoungous plans for the capital by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the Parliament House was actually an afterthought. The Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 paved way for a large legislative assembly and, no doubt, a building was needed where legislations would be passed with the thump of the gavel or the noise of 'ayes' and 'nays'. Thus came into being the Parliament House.

Designed by Herbert Baker, the circular colonaded structure was originally known as the Circular House, when it was opened in 1927. In the immense structure, what catch the eye first are the pillars that seem to stand like sentinels. Wander around the voluminous corridor and count the number of sentinels; there are 247 of them supported on the 173 m disc that serves as a substratum. Portraying the typical 'jalis' (screens) of the Mughal era, the boundary walls affords blocks of carved sandstone with exquisite motifs on them. Although it's an impressive building, its relative physical insignificance in the grand scheme of New Delhi shows how the focus of power has shifted from the viceroy's residence, which was given pride of place during the time of the British Raj when New Delhi was conceived. Get a permit from the reception office on Raisina Road, and you can visit the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and the library of course.

The Sansad Bhawan is situated at the end of Parliament Street, just north of Rajpath. You won't find buses plying in that section, but you can always hire taxis and auto rickshaws from all over the city to reach the Parliament House. Permits to visit the Parliament, so you can sit and view sessions in the public gallery, are available from the reception office on Raisina Road, but you will need a letter of introduction from your embassy.

7, RACE COURSE ROAD

7, race Course Road is the official residence of the Prime Minister of India. It is the address of the Prime Minister's house. The name of PM House is Panchavati. It is often referred to as 7, RCR Panchavati was not the original PM house till mid 80's.

The 7, Race Course Road (7 RCR) was prepared and selected specially for the Prime Minister residence after assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The PM before lived in their own houses or houses allotted to them through Parliament allotment by virtue of being an MP in India.

Jawaharlal Nehru resided in Teen Murti Bhavan that used to be the residence of the chief of Services in the British times. The next PM of India Lal Bhahadur Shastri chose 10 Janpath as the PM house. It later was converted as the Congress (I) President house. Indira Gandhi was allotted 1;Safdarjung Road, which was best suited for PM, needs in terms of space.

After the assassination of Indira Gandhi at her 1,Safdarjung Road garden by her 2 body guard that bungalow was converted into a Museum- Indira Gandhi memorial museum.

The security concern now needed the new PM to move in a big and secure place. It was hence decided to have a Permanent PM house, which any person becoming Prime Minister of India will occupy.

When a new PM is nominated his original house is for the time being given a security detail. He is then advised to move in the 7RCR at the earliest.

Rajiv Gandhi and his family became the first occupant of Panchavti.

3, Race Course Road is the Private Residential Zone for the PM though he operates from 7, Race Course Road.

Former PM V P Singh made it into a permanent residence of the Prime Minister.

The current occupant of 7, RCR is Dr.Manmohan Singh.

PANCHAVATI

As the house was built in the 80's much of its interiors are simple and elegant.
7 RCR has a secretarial staff, which looks after PM daily needs.
Though the Indian PM does not have his office inside the 7 RCR, but for informal meetings, 7 RCR has conference room. This is not the cabinet room It is located in PMO. PM meets heads of political parties here.

THE SECRETARIAT BUILDING

The Secretariat Building situated on Raisina Hill, New Delhi, India, the Secretariat Building is a set of two buildings on the opposite side of Rajpath that are home to some of the most important ministries of the Government of India.

The Secretariat Building houses the following ministries:

• Ministry of Defence (MoD)
• Ministry of Finance (MoF)
• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
• Prime Minister's Office (PMO)

The Secretariat Building consists of two buildings: the North Block and the South Block. Both the buildings flank the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The South Block houses the Prime Minister Office, Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs.

The North Block primarily houses the Ministry of Finance and the Home Ministry.

The Secretariat Building was designed by the prominent British architect Herbert Baker. The building adopts from Moghul and Rajputana style of architecture. Examples include the use of Jali - decorated stone screens, Chajja - screens slanting outside from a building to protect from scorching sun and monsoon rains of India. Another feature of the building is a dome-like structure known as the Chatri, a design unique to India, used in ancient times to give relief to travelers by providing shade from the hot Indian sun.

The style of architecture used in Secretariat Building is unique to Raisina Hill.

PRAGATI MAIDAN

Paragati Maidan Located on Mathura Road, next to Purana Qila, this 149 acres of extensive ground, is rated as the finest exhibition complex in Asia. Besides the 15 giant exhibition halls, there is 10,000 square metres of open area for trade related exhibitions.

The complex has various interesting sites like the National Science Centre, Hall of Nations, the unique Crafts Museum and the States Pavilion.

The Nehru Pavilion, Atomic Energy and Defence Pavilion are also of considerable interest.

India Trade Promotion Organisation manages Pragati Maidan and holds national and international trade fairs. They provide a perfect platform for exchange of technical knowledge, industrial collaborations and joint ventures. These trade fairs attract large crowds throughout the year.

Pragati Maidan is also the hub of cultural activities. It has two popular auditoriums, Shakuntalam and Falukhnama. An amusement park for children called 'Apu Ghar'is also located here. Fast food stalls and restaurants make Pragati Maidan a favourite complex.

INDIRA GANDHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Indra Gandhi International Airport is a major gateway to India. Located in the national capital, Delhi, it is a vital link between India and rest of the globe.

The International Terminal (Terminal II) has 35 airlines flying to major cities across the world.

The Domestic Airport has three terminals, i.e. Terminal 1A & Terminal 1B and Domestic Arrival terminal.

Terminal 1A caters to domestic flights of the national Indian Airlines and its subsidiary, Alliance Air. Flights of other scheduled private airlines viz. Jet Airways and Air Sahara operate from terminal 1B, along with other executive aircraft/private aviation activities. The road distance between the two terminals is eight kilometers.

The Airport is equipped with state-of-the-art category - IIIA landing system making it operational even during dense foggy weather. The Airport currently handles 13100 domestic and 9500 International passengers daily on an average.

Indira Gandhi International Airport is stated to be privatised through the route of Joint Venture, as part of Government's plan to privatise the four metro airports for providing world-class terminals and other facilities to the passengers.

The apex court is one of CPWD’s most splendid architectural achievements. It came up in 1958 and is located on Tilak Marg. The Supreme Court of India functioned from the Parliament House till it moved to the present building.

It has a 27.6 metre high dome and a spacious colonnaded verandah. For a peek inside, you’ll have to obtain a visitor’s pass from the front office.

HOME OF PT.JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TEEN MURTI BHAVAN
This one is a beauty and somehow special because it was the home of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first and most-loved Prime Minister. Formerly called Flagstaff House, it used to be the house of the British Commander-in-Chief.

This palatial house, second only to the Viceroy’s, suited the Anglicized taste of the Harrow-educated Prime Minister who lived here from 1948 till his death in1964.

Erected In An Austere Classical Style

The building stands directly south of Rashtrapati Bhawan. Situated at a major round-point (in simple English a roundabout at a road intersection), it was designed by Robert Tor Russell who was part of Lutyens’ team. The teen murti or three statues of soldiers on the roundabout give the building its name.

Teen Murti Bhawan is a handsome building faced in stone and stucco in an austere classical style. It was carefully placed in the city to reflect the importance of military power to the Viceroy. In 1948, eighteen years after its completion, it became the residence of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. On his death in May 1964 it was preserved as a museum and research library in his memory. The house retains many of his personal belongings like the watch on his bedside table.

The Picturesque Location
The house is set amid large beautifully maintained gardens with a charming rose walk. It is here that Nehru plucked his trademark buttonhole each morning. Nearby is the Jawahar Jyoti , the eternal flame, lit on his birthday in 1964. Adjacent on a rock is his epitaph.

Kushk Mahal, a hunting lodge built during the reign of Feroze Shah Tughlaq is on a mound just behind the main building. The Nehru Planetarium is also in the same compound.

Closed Monday.

REGAL BUILDING The Attractions

This was one of the first buildings to come up in Connaught Place and houses a popular cinema hall. Jackals and wild pigs still roamed the area when it was being built.

Initially Regal Cinema could not attract many patrons but soon it became very popular with Delhi’s rich elite. There used to be a bar in the lobby for gentlemen and a special matinee show for ladies.

Unlike any other cinema hall in Delhi, Regal has a porch, which is forever plastered with colourful, sometimes lewd, film posters. The pavement has been taken over for all manner of activity. There are booksellers, ice-cream vendors, curio shops, music shops, lottery ticket booths and weighing machines – all pressed together cheek by jowl. Regal has fallen on bad times since its glorious heydays. It is a rather seedy, ill-kempt theatre that often shows semi-porn movies to titillate its essentially working class clientele.

Apart from the cinema, the building is home to shops and restaurants too. One of the earliest stores in the block was the Army and Navy Store, which has now closed down. And in its place stand the Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan. But one place that’s a must is the Standard Bakery, which turns out excellent softies, pastries and masala kulchas (a type of spicy bread).

CONNAUGHT PLACE

Connaught Place has a long and distinguished history behind it. Named after the Duke of Connaught, a member of the British royal family, this market was designed by Designed by Robert Tor Russell in collaboration with WH Nichollas.

A sprawling circular market, it was the largest of its kind in India at that time.

The British believed that a market in the shape of a horseshoe would prove lucky for both shoppers and shopkeepers. There may be something in that as CP continues to be delhi’s premier shopping destination even after sixty-five years of its birth.

Apart from being the commercial and business hub of Delhi, CP has countless restaurants, watering holes, shops and emporia and cinema halls too.

Inner Circle
Shops, shops and more shops. Outlets of almost all international brands available in India are along the inner circle: Benetton, Allen Solly, Reebok, Nike, Levi’s, Lee Cooper - you name it. Some of the finest restaurants, eateries and bars pop up here too. (There are some excellent bookshops which you can check out for material on India.

THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

The College of Engineering Delhi was established in 1961 and declared as an institute of national importance in 1963 under the institutes of technology amendment act.

In the same year the institute got its new name as Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and given the status of "Deemed University" with power to decide its own academic policy, to conduct its own examinations, and to award its own degrees.

The IIT Delhi is administered by IIT Council, an apex body established by the Government of India. The Minister of Human Resource Development - Government of India is the chairman of the council.

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) is situated at Hauz Khas in South Delhi. Hauz Khas is a landmark place in the colorful and chequered history of Delhi. The institute is bounded by the Sri Aurobindo Marg on the east, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Complex on the west, the National Council of Educational Research and Training on the south, and the New Ring Road on the north. The IIT Delhi campus is flanked by Qutab Minar and Hauz Khas monuments.
The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) acquires nearly 320 acres of land area divided into four functional zones-

1. Residential zone for students;
2. Residential zone for the faculty and staff;
3. Academic zone for academic buildings and workshops;
4. Cultural-cum-social and recreational zone for students.

ALL INDIA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

All India Institute of Medical Sciences or AIIMS, as it is popularly known, came into existence in 1956 as an autonomous institution.

AIIMS was established through an act of Parliament primarily to develop patterns of teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and also to serve as a center of nurturing excellence in all aspects of health care.

At AIIMS, teaching and research are done at 42 disciplines. The Nursing College of AIIMS offers B.Sc. Nursing post certificate degrees. With its 25 clinical departments and 4 super specialty centers AIIMS seeks to provide solutions to all kinds of disease conditions. However AIIMS do not entertain dog bite cases, burn cases and patients suffering from infectious diseases.

The bed strength at the main hospital of AIIMS is 801. AIIMS is continuously ranked as No.1 medial college by India Today.

HYDERABAD HOUSE

Hyderabad House is a former Princely Residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad that now is used by the Government of India for banquets and meetings with visiting foreign dignitaries. It has also been a venue for joint press conferences and other media events, located in New Delhi, Delhi.

Hyderabad House was designed by Edwin Lutyens as a residence for the Nizam of the erstwhile kingdom of Hyderabad.

The need for a residence in Delhi arose because the most important traditional rulers (maharajas) of Indian states were inducted in 1919 into a Chamber of Princes and, therefore, had to come to Delhi to attend the Chamber's meetings. After 1947, when India got independence, the building was taken over by the Government and, until the early 1990’s, served as a state guesthouse for visiting foreign dignitaries.

In 1926 Fath Jang Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Asif Jah VII appoint the architect Edwin Lutyens to built Palace in New Delhi. It was completed in 1928, Hyderabad House is a mixture of the Mughal (Muslim) and European styles of architecture. It is the largest and grandest of all palaces that was built during the period 1921-1931 to house various state rulers and it is the biggest and grandest of all princely houses built in New Delhi by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. In all, the house has 36 rooms, four of which have been converted into dining rooms by Government of India.