New Parliament building and official protocols explained

Why a new Parliament?
The idea of a new parliament house stemmed from the fear of stability of the existing Parliament building which is around 100 years old. The government had decided to build the new Parliament after assessing that the old building was in need of several changes to accommodate the growing number of Members of Parliament.

What will happen to the old Parliament building?
While not officially confirmed, reports suggest that the old Parliament building will be transformed into a museum, preserving its historical significance and allowing the public to explore the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers. The government has stated that the old building will not be demolished but conserved as a national asset that has witnessed India’s journey from independence to the present. There are plans to renovate the building to provide additional functional spaces for parliamentary functions. Additionally, the national archive is expected to be shifted to the new Parliament building, creating more space in the old building. This move will contribute to the preservation and restoration of India’s rich heritage and cultural objects.

What are the constitutional protocols and proprieties of official function?
The order or the warrant of precedence of the Republic of India clearly states that for official ceremonial purposes the president and the vice president rank above the prime minister.
The prime minister always walks behind the president, vice president, and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. When the president addresses the joint session of the two houses, she or he is flanked on the dais by the vice president (as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha) and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The prime minister does not sit on the dais but in the Assembly of MPs, in her or his capacity as the leader of the Lok Sabha.