New Delhi, May 12 NITI Aayog on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming that it had recommended a two-year halt on major construction and demolition activities across the country due to the ongoing West Asia crisis and rising economic pressures.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the government think tank clarified that it had made no such recommendation regarding a construction ban.
“This is to clarify that no such recommendation in any form has been made by NITI Aayog calling for a construction ban,” the statement said while responding to a media report published on May 12.
The policy body further said that the reconstruction plans related to key government office complexes are being pursued by the respective ministries and that no suggestion for deferment had been issued by NITI Aayog.
“It is further reiterated that the plan on the reconstruction of the various office buildings is being pursued by the respective Ministry and no recommendation for deferment of the process has been made by NITI Aayog,” it added.
The clarification came after a report claimed that the think tank had advised the Centre to suspend major construction works for two years amid spiralling construction costs, rising imports and supply chain disruptions triggered by the ongoing tensions in West Asia.
The report had suggested that projects involving the demolition and reconstruction of major Central government office complexes, including Nirman Bhavan, Udyog Bhavan and Shastri Bhavan, could be put on hold as part of austerity measures linked to rising energy costs and supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the report, the recommendation was allegedly made in view of escalating costs of raw materials, fuel-intensive construction activity and concerns over energy security following the Iran conflict.
The speculation had also gained attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption, limit foreign travel and avoid unnecessary gold purchases amid volatile global energy prices caused by the West Asia crisis.
The report further claimed that demolition work at Nirman Bhavan had been halted and that preparations for demolition activities at Udyog Bhavan and Shastri Bhavan could also face delays.
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