| Visit to Vidhan Bhawan
A MONUMENT AT A GLANCE
THE SITE:
The site chosen for the building is indeed a
monumental one. It is in the centre of the Capital Complex, at the highest point on Arera
Hill, overlooking the city of Bhopal. It is obvious that the shape of the building needs
to reflect this unique location, with a form that is "Readable" from many
different vantage points. Such clarity is difficult to achieve on this site with square or
rectangular forms since the angle of the main access road is not constant, but swings
considerably in relation to the building. Thus was gradually developed the circular form.
It is a form which has many important connotation in
meta physical terms, it symbolises both equality and self containment, i.e, autonomy, at
the same time, from a historical perspective, it finds many echoes in Bhopal's history,
from the magnificent stupa at Sanchi to the Great capital of Mandu.
FORM:
The Vidhan Bhavan is a huge building, covering an area
of more than 32,000 sq. metres of built space. Seeing the form taken by the normal run of
Government architecture, the Vidhan Bhawan could have degenerated into a lump of heavy
dough perched on a hill. In point of fact viewed from any point of the compass the Vidhan
Bhavan impresses by its light footedness and efferverscence. The whole buildig presents as
extremely pleasing vision of powerful curves and sraight vertical and horizontal lines.
Whereas the building could have fallen into the trap of being merely monumental, its
pristinely simple lines raise it to an altogether different plane. This is the genius of
Charles Correa.
In a total break from modernism and post-modernism,
Charles Correa has developed a deep understanding of the Vedic principles of architecture,
from which has emerged an extra ordinary synthesis of the totally traditional with the
totally modern, The Kund", which is ritualistically dedicated to Surya and which is
central to both ancient and medieval architecture in India, is almost a signature of
Charles Correa and, therefore, the main entrance to the Vidhan Bhavan is through the Kund
area. Any entrace to a building would normally be associated with a constant rushing to
and fro, a passage crowded with people. The Kund area however, is a place for slow
progression, for contemplation of the sky above, a place to sit and rest whilst admiring
the magnificent tribal wall paintings of Late Shri Jangad Singh Shyam.
The Vidhan Bhavan is divided into nine compartments of
squares each enclosing in it a pattern of gardens within gardens. The five Central squares
form hall and courtyards which are not only assemblage points but also house the various
offices of the Vidhan Bhavan Secretariat and support services which a legislature need.
The four corner squares are occupied by structures given over to specialised function.
i.e. the Vidhan Sabha or Lower House, the Vidhan Parishad or upper House, the combined
hall for joint session of both houses and any other non-Legislative function which might
be organised by the Vidhan Bhavan and a cabinet room and the offices of the Chief Minister
and other Ministers. Entry to the building is through three main gates or 'dwars', one for
people at large through the kund, one for member of the legislature and minister and one
for the Speaker of the House. There is also a smaller entrance for the Chief Minister and
Ministers attending cabinet meetings.
MAIN CONSULTANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW VIDHAN BHAWAN
Architect : Mr. C.M. Correa
Structural Consultant : Mr. Mahendra Raj (Engineering
Consultant India, New Delhi.)
Services : Mr. S.K. Murthy (Mumbai)
Interiors : Mr. Satish Madhiwala (Mumbai)
Sound & Acoustics : Mr. Gautam Suri (New Delhi)
Land scape : Mr. Kishor Pradhan (Mumbai)
Kitchen Consultant : Mr. Sudhakar Handa (Mumbai)
New Vidhan Bhawan Bhopal
Salient Features
1. Total Area of Premises : 10.24 Hectares (25.26
Acrs)
2. Total Floor Area : 31,699.00 Sqm.
3. Total Cost of the Project : 56.00 Crores
4. Inaugurated on : 3rd Aug 1996
5. Special Features of the Building :
(a) Site and shape : In the
center of the capital at the highest formation
on Arera Hills. The Building circular in plan having 140 Meter dia.
(b) Main Features :
(i) Assembly Hall :The major attracion is the assembly
hall. Circular in plan have been 15.5 mts radius covered by hemispherical dome of
dia 31.00mts and thickness varies 150 to 90mm The height of the crown from floor is 25mts.
The capacity of hall is 231.
(ii) Vidhan Parishad : There is also provision for
vidhan parishad hall and its roof has been designed as a inclined space truss roof
covered with R.C.C. slab 150 mm thick.The capacity of hall is 86 members.
Details of space truss roof
Area :- 13.50m x 13.50m
Type of construction :- Steel structure with channel
MC 150 and angle 130*130*8mm
(iii) Central Hall : This is square in plan
29.40x29.40M size with its roof has been designed as a drop panel slab resting on four
circular 1100 mm dia columns. Along the outer edges and in the centre, there are FRP
skylights provided for the natural light. It can also be used as banquet hall.
Details of Drop Panel Slab
Type of construction - R.C.C. M-250
span - 29.40x29.40M
Thickness - 250mm
(iv) Common Hall : For the joint session of Vidhan
Sabha and Vidhan Parishad, there is provision for common hall, presently using as a
audotorium. Its roof has been designed as a warped slab (Hyperbola cum Parabola slab).
Details of Warped Slab
Area - 750 Sqm
Height from ground floor - 13.00 M (Average)
max. Span - 45 M
difference between Maximum -
and Minimum Level in slab-6.5 m
Size of Beam - 1.20 m x 2.95m (Hollow Box)
Thickness of slab - 250mm at edges & 150mm in
between
(v) Other Features :
Centrally Air-Conditioned
Integrated Sound-Cum-Electronic Voting System.
Elevators 8 Nos.
Interior Decoration & Art Work.
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