New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Friday inaugurated the newly-built Afghan Parliament building in Kabul.


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

The new Parliament building in Afghanistan will stand as a symbol of ties between India and Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after the inauguration ceremony.


Here are a few facts about it:


  • The project was initiated by the Indian government in 2007 as a mark of friendship and cooperation to help rebuild war-torn Afghanistan.
  • The new Parliament building was due to have been completed in November 2011 and has missed at least three completion deadlines over the last four years.
  • The project, that had been conceived as a USD 45 million venture, is likely to cost the exchequer USD 90 million, TOLONews reported.
  • The Parliament building has elements of Mughal and modern architecture and has Asia's largest dome as its key feature.
  • It is situated between historic landmarks King's Palace "Darulaman" and the Queen's Palace - which bear the marks of the war and tell the story of conflict and devastation.
  • The building houses the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) with a seating capacity of 294, a 190-seat Meshrano Jirga (Upper House), entrance lobby, offices, conference rooms, dining halls and a press room, among others.
  • One of the Parliament's block is named after former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who is also celebrating his 91st birthday on Friday.