Home To Some Of The Most Important Ministries of The Cabinet Of India - The Secretariat Building

The Secretariat Building is known by many names such as the Central Secretariat, the Kendriya Terminal, CSect or Parliament Station. It's centrally located as it stands amidst the Raisina Hills which is one of the prime destinations in Delhi. The two famous blocks of this building - North & South - are located on opp sides of the Rajpath; surrounded by the famous India Gate & the beautiful Rashtrapati Bhavan which is the president’s house. 

Eminent Offices Found Here

This building is administered & looked after by the Indian govt. and is home to the important and significant Cabinets of India’s ministries. Eminent offices such as the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) or the Ministry of External Affairs & even the Ministry of Defense, all coexist in the South Block of this building. 

Other offices such as the Home Ministry & Finance Ministry are housed in the North Block. In the past, it's even housed people from the Bengal Presidency & the Madras Presidency. All important decisions regarding the policy formulation and policy changes are taken in these premises. 

The Opulent Design

Designed by Herbert Baker, this building consists of four levels with 1000 rooms each & consists of inner courtyards, red sandstone from Dholpur, broad corridors, huge domes and architecture inspired from Rajasthan & Mughal styles coupled with wide roads, fountains & lush green gardens which makes this building timeless in the mind of the visitor. 

The environment around this building is serene and calm. The design of this building is also similar to that of the Union buildings in Pretoria.

The Oldest Library

The oldest library of our country’s govt is also housed nearby. The Central Secretariat Library is home to over 5-lakh books & volumes and is also the second largest Central Government Library after Kolkata. This library is located at the Shastri Bhawan. 

Good to Know

Apart from the remarkable library, the building is connected to a metro station with the same name. This station is connected to the yellow line which  runs from Jahangirpuri to Gurgaon as well as the Violet Line which ends at Badarpur. It even has an exit gate which leads you to AIFACS - All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society. This gallery is again, one of the oldest galleries found & the society has been in existence since 1938 inculcating art works & sculptures of renowned artists from across the world.

The other exit of this metro station leads you to the Krishi Bhavan & the Rail Bhavan. Udyog Bhavan is also nearby. There are many buses which end here or pass through this building. 

Government offices, buildings of historical significance, museums, parks & galleries are all found nearby making this place a definite hotspot to visit when in Delhi!

Location | Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Marg