The recent heavy rains in Delhi on July 31st have led to some dramatic images and reports of water leakage in the newly inaugurated Parliament Building. Social media has been abuzz with videos showing water dripping from the lobby, sparking concerns about the building's weather resilience. 

In response, the Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued a clarification, addressing the issue. They acknowledged that the rainfall did cause some minor leakage in the lobby area due to slight displacement of the adhesive material securing the glass domes. These domes, which are part of the building's design to maximise natural light in line with its Green Parliament concept, were the source of the problem. However, the Secretariat emphasised that this was a minor issue and that corrective measures were promptly implemented.  

The Lok Sabha Secretariat's statement continued to address the situation, noting that no further leakage had been observed after the initial issue was resolved. They also reported that the accumulated water near the Makar Dwar had been quickly drained away. 

The heavy rains on July 31st, which lasted from around 7 pm to 11 pm, caused significant disruption. When the House adjourned for the day, many members were stranded due to the relentless downpour, highlighting the impact of the weather on the functioning of the Parliament. 

Several Parliamentarians, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress MP Manickam Tagore, have criticised the government over the issues with the new Parliament building. 

Akhilesh Yadav took to social media to question the substantial expenditure on the new building, suggesting that the old Parliament was more functional and accessible. He sarcastically proposed returning to the old Parliament until the new building's water leakage issues are resolved, and he raised concerns about whether such problems are a common feature in projects undertaken by the BJP government. Yadav's comments reflect broader criticisms about both the cost and the quality of the new construction. 

Congress MP Manickam Tagore also expressed strong criticism of the Modi government’s handling of the new Parliament building. He highlighted what he described as "paper leakage outside, water leakage inside," pointing to recent water leakage issues in the Parliament lobby, which are reportedly affecting areas used by the President. Tagore raised concerns about the building's weather resilience, questioning the efficacy of the construction given that the building was completed only a year ago. He announced plans to move an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to address these issues, reflecting the growing dissatisfaction among opposition members regarding the new building's performance and expenditure. 

The new Parliament building has been a focal point of contention between the treasury benches and the Opposition since its inception. Tensions flared when the Opposition was not invited to the ceremony for the installation of the Ashoka emblem atop the new building. This snub contributed to their decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building, which they criticised as a BJP-sponsored event. 

The friction has continued beyond the initial controversies, with multiple disputes arising over various aspects of the construction and use of the new building. This ongoing conflict also extended to other significant events, such as the opposition parties' boycott of the Ram Temple inauguration in January of this year, further illustrating the strained relations and heightened political tensions surrounding major government projects. 

Image source: The Indian express