Just days after India entered its 79th year of independence on August 15, the nation is preparing for a historic relocation of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) from the South Block to the newly constructed Executive Enclave-I, just a few hundred metres away. Reports from Mint, NDTV, and the Times of India suggest the move could take place by the second half of September. The Cabinet Secretariat is also expected to join the shift, while the iconic North and South Block buildings are set to be transformed into a public museum named Yuge Yugeen Bharat Sangrahalaya.

Modern facilities for faster governance

Part of the ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project, the relocation is designed to bring India’s administrative infrastructure into the 21st century. Officials told TOI that the move will reduce red tape, speed up file movement, and enable faster policy implementation. The Executive Enclave will host the PMO, Cabinet Secretariat, National Security Council Secretariat, and India House, while the ministries of Home Affairs and Personnel have already shifted to Kartavya Bhavan-3.

Kartavya Bhavan-3 includes a creche, yoga room, medical facilities, café, kitchen, multipurpose hall, 24 main conference rooms, 26 smaller conference rooms, 67 meeting rooms, and 27 lifts – designed for efficiency and comfort.

Closer, safer, and smarter

The new complex features secure ID card-based access for officials and visitors and is closer to the Prime Minister’s residence to improve coordination.

Breaking from colonial legacy

The British-era North and South Block buildings have served as India’s administrative nerve centre since before independence in 1947. The move is a symbolic departure from these colonial structures. NDTV reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the PMO should transform into a “people’s PMO,” acting as a catalyst to energise the system and serve citizens.

Project timeline

The Central Vista project, comprising 10 buildings along with the Executive Enclave, is expected to finish by June 2027. Certain structures, including the National Museum, National Archives, and Vanijya Bhawan, will be retained, blending heritage with modernity. The new PMO may also receive a name reflecting the spirit of public service, following the precedent of Kartavya Path and Kartavya Bhavan.