Kathmandu, June 15
The main meeting hall of the new Parliament Building is now ready. Today, a team led by Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal inspected the hall.
The inspection team reviewed the construction progress, structural condition, and necessary infrastructure arrangements.
The foundation stone for the new Parliament Building was laid by then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on September 18, 2019. Sixteen days later, a contract worth NPR 6.92 billion was signed with the contractor.
The new Parliament Building is modern and well-equipped. Parliamentary party offices for political parties are located near the building. The necessary structures for the Parliament Secretariat, National Assembly, and House of Representatives are also situated nearby.
At the centre of the new parliament complex is an entrance for VVIPs, with a separate entrance nearby for staff and others.
The Parliament Secretariat is on one side, and the House of Representatives hall is on the other. Behind the secretariat and the House hall, on one side is the parliamentary party office and on the other is the National Assembly.
The House of Representatives meeting hall has a seating capacity of 700. This capacity was set at 700 because joint sessions of the House of Representatives and National Assembly are sometimes required.
The main hall seats 400, with 300 in the balcony. The National Assembly balcony has a capacity of 290 seats. There is a joint lobby that can accommodate 350 people.
Offices and meeting rooms have been built for 10 political parties, large and small, for their parliamentary parties. Special chambers have been prepared for the Prime Minister, Speaker, Chairperson of the National Assembly, and chief whips of the parties, among others. Each office has a meeting hall with 25 seats.
The federal parliament complex includes a library and canteen, as well as a garden and small open space within the new building area.
Infrastructure includes press and printing buildings, parking for 700 vehicles, and security buildings. The parliament premises also feature a water fountain and a green open area.
