North and South Block to be converted into Yuge Yugeen Bharat Sangrahalaya museum under Central Vista redevelopment
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) will soon move from South Block to a new address. After 78 years of Independence, the PMO will shift to the Executive Enclave, part of the Central Vista Project. Sources said the relocation is expected to take place next month.
What is the Executive Enclave?
The newly built Executive Enclave is located just a few hundred metres from the Prime Minister’s residence. It has been designed to house top government offices with modern facilities.
It will include:
- The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
- The Cabinet Secretariat
- The National Security Council Secretariat
- A world-class conferencing facility
Officials said the building reflects India’s image as an emerging global power and is equipped for future needs.
Why is the PMO Moving?
The shift was needed due to space and infrastructure issues in colonial-era buildings.
Key reasons include:
- Severe space shortage in South Block and North Block
- Poor lighting, ventilation, and outdated facilities
- The need for modern, efficient offices
During the inauguration of Kartavya Bhavan-3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi explained that ministries like Home Affairs worked for decades in buildings that lacked proper facilities. He stressed that the government needs new infrastructure to match India’s growing role on the world stage.
A People’s PMO
The new PMO may also get a new name. Reports suggest it could reflect the spirit of ‘Sewa’ (service).
The Prime Minister has said:
“The PMO should be people’s PMO. It cannot be Modi’s PMO.”
This shows the government’s effort to make the PMO more service-oriented and accessible.
North and South Block to Become a Museum
With major offices moving out, North and South Block will soon be transformed into a public museum.
The museum will be called ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat Sangrahalaya’. It aims to:
- Celebrate India’s cultural heritage
- Highlight the country’s past, present, and future
- Show India’s journey from Independence to a global power
An agreement has been signed between the National Museum and France Museums Development for cooperation in building this world-class museum.
The PMO’s move to the Executive Enclave is more than a change of address. It marks a historic shift in India’s governance. While the new building will serve as a modern administrative hub, the North and South Block will continue to live on as symbols of history — telling the story of India’s legacy through the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Sangrahalaya museum.
