Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday indicated that the number of seats in the state Assembly may increase from the existing 147 to around 200 after the next delimitation exercise.
Speaking at an event marking the foundation stone laying for the new Assembly building and Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said the present Assembly has 147 members, but the number could go up by another 50 seats after the next delimitation exercise. The strength may reach close to 200 MLAs, he said.
Therefore, the new Assembly building is being designed to accommodate up to 300 members keeping the long-term requirements in view, Majhi said, adding that the infrastructure is being planned with a vision of the next 50 to 100 years.
The new Assembly and Lok Seva Bhavan will be constructed following a Central Vista-style architectural framework and will be located within a single integrated campus.
Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that the project had been a long-cherished vision of the Chief Minister. He noted that the number of departments and government employees has increased over the years, creating the need for a modern administrative complex.
He said the new Assembly building would have a seating capacity for 300 legislators.
The new Lok Seva Bhavan and the new Assembly will be built on 71.13 acres of land under an approved master plan. The state government will spend around Rs 3,623 crore on the project. The complex will include underground parking facilities.
