Haryana to launch award for 'best architect'

Chandigarh, Feb 20 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced to institute a cash award of Rs one lakh to be awarded annually to the best architect of the State Architecture Department and formulate a plan to train the architects abroad so as to enhance their skills.

The Chief Minister was speaking after releasing the ''Standard Designs Brochure'' brought out by Haryana Department of Architecture at a function here today.

While appreciating the initiative of the Department to standardise the designs of Government buildings and compile them in a brochure, the Chief Minister said that this new concept would help in reducing construction cost, proper utilisation of space, have good designs and also save time. These aspects, he said, reflected the art of an architect.

Mr Hooda said that the new Government buildings which were now coming up in the State had attractive designs.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner and Secretary, Architecture, K K Jalan said at present the State Public Works Building and Roads) Department was constructing buildings involving an investment of Rs 1000 crore.

The Architecture Department was actively involved in renovation of office of Chief Minister and Haryana Vidhan Sabha.

It has also taken up the renovation work of Haryana Raj Bhawan, Benmore Rest House, Shimla and Haryana Bhawan, New Delhi.

Chief Architect Ashwani Sabharwal said that the Department has evolved architectural designs for all the upcoming projects incorporating latest techniques in modern architecture.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also inaugurated an exhibition put up by the Department at the venue to depict models and plans of some of the on going and proposed buildings.

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