Central Secretariat Library Faces Uncertain Future Amid Central Vista Revamp
· India · Indian Express
The 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library, which houses over 8.5 lakh books and rare historical documents, currently lacks a designated space in the new Central Vista development plan. Founded in 1891, the library is the second-largest under the Central government and has operated from Shastri Bhawan since 1969. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Central Public Works Department have issued orders to vacate Shastri Bhawan by the end of September 2026 to begin construction. Officials previously proposed allocating only two rooms covering 300 square metres for the library's vast collection, a proposal that was rejected by the ministry. The library currently spans 5,500 square metres across four floors and serves a regular stream of government officials and students.
Why it matters
The lack of a permanent home threatens the preservation of rare historical records and disrupts access for thousands of students and researchers who rely on the facility.
Read the original report — Indian Express
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.