Centre Renames Central Vista as 'Kartavya Bhawan Area', Minister Announces

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal announced on Sunday (July 12, 2026) that the Central Vista redevelopment area should now be referred to as the 'Kartavya Bhawan Complex' or 'Kartavya Bhawan Area'. He directed that the name 'Central Vista' should no longer be used in official documents or references.

Speaking at the foundation day of the Central Public Works Department, the minister said: 'Until now, we have been repeatedly referring to it as Central Vista. From now on, please call it the Kartavya Bhawan Complex or Kartavya Bhawan Area. The name Central Vista has now been changed. Going forward, it should not be referred to by that name.'

The Union minister clarified that the entire precinct—covering multiple Kartavya Bhawans, Kartavya Marg, and any future government buildings in the zone—would be known as the Kartavya Bhawan Area.

The government's Central Vista redevelopment plan includes the construction of 10 buildings under the 'Common Central Secretariat' to house ministries. So far, three buildings have been completed. The minister noted that these newly constructed buildings are now part of the country's history, akin to the century-old structures in the national capital that are remembered along with their builders.

'A nation's capital is not built repeatedly in quick succession. Just as we remember those who built the iconic buildings a 100 years ago, generations will remember those who built these Kartavya Bhawans. That is our good fortune,' he said.

In 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially renamed Rajpath—the two-kilometre stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate—as Kartavya Path. The move aimed to remove symbols of the colonial past and emphasise citizens' duties. Subsequently, new government office buildings along the stretch were named 'Kartavya Bhawans'. Similarly, the complex housing the Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Secretariat, and the National Security Advisor's office was named 'Seva Teerth'.

Highlighting a new transfer policy in the Central Public Works Department, the minister said he has introduced a provision for employees to be posted at a place of their choice. While acknowledging that he receives many transfer requests, he urged employees to consider the collective good rather than individual interests.