Government data presented in Parliament has revealed that 43% of the trees transplanted to facilitate the Central Vista redevelopment project in Delhi have died. The transplantation was undertaken as part of the project’s compliance with environmental regulations, and the figures were disclosed by the Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, on 3 April 2026.
According to Scroll, a total of 3,609 trees were transplanted for the Central Vista project, with 1,545 of these not surviving. The project, initiated in 2019, involves the redevelopment of a significant stretch of central Delhi, including the construction of new government buildings and official residences.
Details provided in Parliament specified that of the 3,609 trees moved, 1,734 originated from the central secretariat site, 402 from the new Parliament building area, 390 from the vice president’s enclave, and 143 from the new Prime Minister’s Office and residence. Coverage revealed that these figures were part of a formal response to a question raised by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.
The government stated that, to compensate for the loss of trees, 24,450 new trees have been planted at the NTPC Eco Park in Delhi’s Badarpur area and 1,730 trees in Ghitorni. Reporting indicated that these compensatory plantations are in accordance with legal requirements for environmental clearance.
“About 43% of the trees transplanted to make way for the Central Vista project have died, the Union government told Parliament on Thursday.”
The financial outlay for the transplantation and compensatory plantation activities between 2023-’24 and 2025-’26 was reported to be Rs 5.2 crore. Analysis showed that this expenditure covers both the physical relocation of mature trees and the planting of new saplings at designated sites.
The Central Vista project encompasses the construction of a new Parliament building, new residences for the vice president and prime minister, the new Prime Minister’s Office, and ten government office buildings known as Kartavya Bhavans. Further details confirmed that the redevelopment also includes plans to convert the North Block and South Block offices into a new national museum.
Work on the prime minister’s new residence and the remaining secretariat buildings is ongoing as construction progresses at the Central Vista site.
Note: This article is produced using AI-assisted tools and is based on publicly available information. It has been reviewed by The Quint's editorial team before publishing.