Modi inaugurates Seva Teerth, Kartavya Bhavans; calls them milestones on road to Viksit Bharat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated new buildings housing the Prime Minister’s Office and the central secretariat, describing the structures as a major step in India’s journey towards “Viksit Bharat” and a reflection of the government’s push for citizen-centric governance.

Unveiling the new PMO complex, named Seva Teerth, along with Kartavya Bhawan 1 and 2, Modi said India must shed every trace of a colonial mindset as it advances towards the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Decisions taken at the new complexes, he emphasised, would be guided by the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.

“Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan mark an important milestone in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat. They embody our commitment to citizen-centric governance and national progress,” the Prime Minister said at an event attended by Union ministers and senior officials.

Highlighting the symbolism of the shift, Modi contrasted the new facilities with historic administrative hubs such as South Block and North Block, noting that the earlier buildings were conceived during British rule. While acknowledging their role in post-Independence governance, he said the new complexes represent a modern administrative vision aligned with India’s future.

The Prime Minister also underscored practical considerations, pointing to space constraints and ageing infrastructure in older buildings. Consolidating ministries into modern facilities, he said, would reduce operational inefficiencies and save public funds previously spent on rental costs across multiple locations in Delhi.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, key decisions approved at Seva Teerth earlier in the day included doubling the target of the Lakhpati Didi scheme to 60 million beneficiaries, enhancing the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund’s outlay to ₹2 lakh crore, and clearing a ₹10,000-crore Startup India Fund.

Modi reiterated that moving beyond colonial-era symbols has been a consistent policy objective. He cited measures such as the renaming of Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan Marg and the creation of national memorials honouring soldiers and police personnel as part of a broader effort to align public spaces with independent India’s identity.

While embracing the transition, the Prime Minister said memories associated with the old buildings would remain an enduring part of India’s institutional history and would find a place in the proposed Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum.

Calling Viksit Bharat 2047 a national pledge, Modi said the renewed pace of governance enabled by Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans would play a defining role in achieving India’s long-term development goals.