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Bharat Mandapam

Coordinates: 28°37′10″N 77°14′33″E / 28.61944°N 77.24250°E / 28.61944; 77.24250
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Bharat Mandapam
Bhārata Maṇḍapam
Map
General information
Architectural styleRetrofuturism
LocationNew Delhi, Delhi, India
Country India
Coordinates28°37′10″N 77°14′33″E / 28.61944°N 77.24250°E / 28.61944; 77.24250
Construction startedNovember 2017[1]
Inaugurated26 July 2023; 15 months ago (2023-07-26)
Cost₹2,700 crores (equivalent to approximately US$320 million)[2]
ClientIndia Trade Promotion Organisation
OwnerGovernment of India
Height36.4 metres[3]
Design and construction
Architecture firmArcop Associates
Aedas (Singapore)
Main contractorNBCC
Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd.
Other information
Public transit access Logo of the Delhi Metro Supreme Court
Website
www.indiatradefair.com

Bharat Mandapam (English: /ˈbʱaːrət ˈmən̪ɖəpəm/) is an exhibition hall located within the confines of the sprawling Pragati Maidan complex in New Delhi, India. [4] It is one of the largest convention centres of India, whose design and architecture draws inspiration from the twelfth-century Anubhava Mantapa.[5][6] While the Pragati Maidan complex was inaugurated in 1972, Bharat Mandapam was unveiled in 2023 ahead of the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit. It was constructed on the site of the iconic Hall of Nations, which was controversially razed in 2017 despite court proceedings underway to address the structure’s heritage status. The decision to demolish the Hall while the matter was sub judice sparked significant public outcry.[7]

With a total built-up area of 390,000 sq. metres, the complex includes an iconic, world-class meeting hall that can accommodate 7,000 people in a single format, along with six modern exhibition halls spanning an exhibition area of 150,000 sq. metres. The 2023 G20 New Delhi summit took place at this venue from September 9-10, 2023.[8]

History

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Hall of Nations

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Bharat Mandapam stands on the site of the former Hall of Nations, an iconic part of the expansive Pragati Maidan project. Designed by architect Raj Rewal,[9] the Hall was celebrated as the world’s first and then-largest space-frame structure built in reinforced concrete. Pragati Maidan was inaugurated on November 3, 1972, by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on the eve of the International Trade Fair called Asia 72.[10] The venue and the event were meant to celebrate 25 years of India's independence.[11]

Pragati Maidan

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Pragati Maidan comprises a vast complex of buildings, covering over 150 acres (0.61 km²) and interspersed with numerous lawns. It overlooks the historic Purana Qila, built by the second Mughal emperor, Humayun, which stands opposite Gate number 1. The complex houses numerous pavilions, including the Nehru Pavilion, the Defence Pavilion, the Indira Pavilion, and the Son of India Pavilion. It features a variety of structures in eclectic shapes and sizes and includes an auditorium that frequently hosts music shows and plays. Additionally, an internal shuttle service operates within the expansive grounds.

Pragati Maidan used to house a cinema called Shakuntalam, which attained popularity among college students for its comparatively cheap tickets. The complex houses 18 exhibition halls,[12] several buildings, eateries, performance spaces and compounds, including headquarters of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), and hosts over 70 national and international exhibitions annually, with the largest being the India International Trade Fair which attracts over 10,000 exhibitors and over 3,000,000 visitors.[13][14]

Pragati Maidan is flanked by Mathura Road to its west and Bhairon Road on the south. To its east runs the main railway line to Central and Southern India. Situated in Central Delhi,[15] Pragati Maidan offers about 61,290 sq. metres of covered exhibition space in 16 halls, besides 10,000 sq. metres of open display area.[16] In 2006, ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a ₹1,260-crore redevelopment plan was initiated by the government.[13][17]

Bharat Mandapam project

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After the Modi government came to power in 2014, it sought to revamp the Pragati Maidan. The comprehensive revamp plan of the Pragati Maidan IECC project was conceptualised by the ITPO in December 2015. In 2016, a consortium of architecture firms, Arcop (Delhi) and Aedas (Singapore), led by architects Sanjay Singh[18] and Spaniard Simón Núñez de Arenas Fraile[19] respectively, won the competition for the Master Plan and architectural design of the exhibition halls and the convention center. The Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) at Pragati Maidan, developed at a cost exceeding ₹2,600 crore, was constructed by the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC). NBCC subcontracted the work to the Shapoorji Pallonji Group.[20]

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved it in January 2017 for implementation in a mission mode. The government’s plan to replace the Hall of Nations with a new convention center was justified as a necessity for creating a 'world-class' exhibition-cum-convention facility to host the then-upcoming G20 meetings that India would hold a few years later, indicating a clear intent to proceed with the demolition.[21] Conservationists and architects from around the world protested the plan to demolish the iconic Hall of Nations, urging the government to preserve the renowned heritage structure. However, just a few days later, notwithstanding widespread protests, appeals, and public outcry, along an ongoing legal intervention in the Delhi High Court to protect the structure, the ITPO proceeded with the demolition.[22]

The complex was replaced by a new Bharat Mandapam, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2023. In September 2023, it hosted the G20 Leader's Summit. The project spans a total built-up area of 390,000 m² and includes an iconic, world-class convention centre with a capacity for 7,000 people in a single format, six modern exhibition halls covering 150,000 m² of exhibition space, ample underground parking, and strong infrastructure connectivity. This design encourages public transportation use while also enabling quick road decongestion. Pragati Maidan is spread over 123 acres of prime land in the heart of India's capital, New Delhi. The revamped complex includes the newly built double-storied exhibition halls — Halls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 15 — along with a single-floor structure, Hall 6.

Pragati Maidan

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The Auto Expo, Asia's largest auto show,[23] was held biennially at Pragati Maidan

The Pragati Maidan complex is divided into two sections: the old hall complex, which includes Halls 7 to 12A, and the new hall complex, which comprises Halls 1 to 6 and Hall 14. Some of the events held in Pragati Maidan are the India International Trade Fair, Auto Expo,[24] World Book Fair, and AAHAR.

The India International Trade Fair (IITF), a two-week-long event, commences annually on 14 November at this venue. In 1999, during the fair, two new air-conditioned halls, 12 and 13, covering an area of 9,000 m², were opened to the public. That year, around 5,200 enterprises and over 70 companies from 14 countries participated in the event.[25] The 2003 edition of the IITF saw over 2.5 million visitors to Pragati Maidan.[26] The Northern Railways ran special trains to Pragati Maidan during the 2008 edition of the fair.[27] The Delhi Metro, in a similar vein, handled an average daily ridership of 50,000 commuters during the same period.[28]

Straddling a corner of Pragati Maidan overlooking the Mathura Road is the "Matka Peer", the dargah shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Abubakr Tusi Qalandari, a mystic who arrived in Delhi from Iran around 1260 CE.[29] Further down Bhairon Road lies the National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, and even further along stands the National Science Centre. The Pragati Maidan metro station, spanning 6,800 square meters and comprising the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro, opened in November 2006 during the India International Trade Fair.[30] On its eighth day, the station accommodated over 200,000 passengers.[31] In December 2019, the Delhi Government's naming committee decided to rechristen the station to Supreme Court owing to its proximity to the Supreme Court of India.[32]

Each year, the Income Tax Department opens over 150 counters for filing income tax returns.[33][34] It also hosted Wills Lifestyle Indian Fashion Week (WIFW), organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), in 2008 and 2009.[35] Additionally, it features exhibitions spanning virtually all major industries, including toys, leather goods, lifestyle products and services, export items, medical equipment, sports equipment, and even a job fair.[36]

Accessibility

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Pragati Maidan boasts of robust connectivity to the Delhi Metro network. The Supreme Court station of Delhi Metro is located adjacent to Gate 10 of the venue, providing convenient access for visitors. Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station of the Indian Railways network is about three kilometres away from the Pragati Maidan complex.

When exhibitions and events are underway, visitors can also enter through Gate number 4, located on Bhairon Marg.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/ready-to-open-revamped-pragati-maidan-convention-centre-in-delhi-to-be-among-worlds-best/articleshow/102064043.cms
  2. ^ https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bharat-mandapam-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-grand-venue-of-g20-summit-4373769
  3. ^ https://www.thehansindia.com/featured/sunday-hans/bharat-mandapam-a-spell-binding-convergence-of-architecture-art-831671
  4. ^ Maanvi (26 April 2017). "Losing A Heritage: A History of Pragati Maidan's 'Hall of Nations'". TheQuint. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  5. ^ https://societyinteriorsdesign.com/bharat-mandapam-at-pragati-maidan-new-delhi-an-iconic-masterpiece-redesigned-by-arcop-associates-and-aedas-singapore-redefines-the-countrys-architecture/
  6. ^ https://www.news18.com/explainers/bharat-mandapam-pragati-maidan-new-delhi-all-about-venue-of-g20-summit-8570114.html
  7. ^ Maanvi (26 April 2017). "Losing A Heritage: A History of Pragati Maidan's 'Hall of Nations'". TheQuint. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  8. ^ Livemint (7 September 2023). "G20 Summit 2023 Delhi LIVE update: PM Modi finalises agreements with Joe Biden". mint. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Raj Rewal - Hall of Nations". Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  10. ^ "Developing modern fair culture". The Times Of India. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  11. ^ "The Hall of Nations: A lost heritage of Delhi". Hindustan Times. 25 April 2017. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  12. ^ "India Trade Promotion Organisation". Archived from the original on 21 October 2006. Retrieved 1 November 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  13. ^ a b "All new Pragati Maidan by 2010". Financialexpress.com. 24 March 2006. Archived from the original on 10 November 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  14. ^ "Staid Pragati Maidan to turn up market". Indianexpress.com. 8 October 1998. Retrieved 18 June 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Archived copy". www.india-codes.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^ "Aahar International Food & Hospitality Fair". Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  17. ^ "Pragati Maidan to get new showcase". The Times of India. 30 August 2006. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Delhi's Pragati Maidan gets a new look with 7,000-seater convention centre". Architectural Digest India. 28 June 2018. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  19. ^ Knowledge Session on Pragati Maidan at Public Infrastructure Pavilion at iDAC Expo 3.0, 30 July 2022, archived from the original on 1 August 2023, retrieved 1 August 2023
  20. ^ "NBCC gives order worth Rs 2150 crore to Shapoorji Pallonji". Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  21. ^ "The hostile architecture of Bimal Patel". caravanmagazine.in. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  22. ^ "The hostile architecture of Bimal Patel". caravanmagazine.in. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Front Page : Asia's largest auto carnival begins in Delhi tomorrow". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 12 January 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  24. ^ "Auto Expo 2010 musings". Livemint.com. 7 January 2010. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  25. ^ "Pragati Maidan madness begins tomorrow". Indian Express. 13 November 1999. Archived from the original on 23 September 2003.
  26. ^ "Trade fair ends on a busy note". The Times of India. 28 November 2003. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011.
  27. ^ "Northern Railway to run special trains to Pragati Maidan". Zee News. 14 November 2008. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013.
  28. ^ "DMRC gears up for International Trade Fair rush". The Times of India. 19 November 2009. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  29. ^ Nivedita Khandekar (1 December 2012). "The pitchers of serenity". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  30. ^ "'Over 2 lakh passengers used Pragati Maidan Metro'". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 20 November 2006. Archived from the original on 10 February 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  31. ^ "Pragati Maidan will be the biggest Metro station". The Times of India. 2 October 2004. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  32. ^ "Delhi: Pragati Maidan metro station renamed as Supreme Court metro station". The Times of India. 31 December 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  33. ^ "Huge rush at Pragati Maidan counters". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 31 October 2004. Archived from the original on 25 December 2004. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  34. ^ "SPECIAL COUNTER IN PRAGATI MAIDAN FOR FILING I.T. RETURN". PIB, Ministry of Finance. 27 July 2006. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  35. ^ "Pragati Maidan to get fashionable this year". CNN-IBN. 24 July 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  36. ^ "Biggest ever job fair at Pragati Maidan". The Times of India. 21 August 2004. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
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