Why is a 135-year-old library facing a crisis? This news will worry students.

Plans are underway to relocate the 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library because Delhi's Shastri Bhawan is set to be demolished under the Central Vista Project; a new location for its 8.5 lakh books has not yet been found.

Located in Delhi's Shastri Bhawan, the Central Secretariat Library is considered the country's second-largest government library. However, it has now been decided that the Shastri Bhawan building will be demolished as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. Consequently, the administration had directed all departments to vacate Shastri Bhawan by the end of September. While other government offices have been shifted to new locations, no permanent or adequate space has yet been found to relocate this historic library.

This historic library, which is approximately 135 years old, currently has no new home, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the future of the millions of priceless and rare books housed within it. This news could come as a major blow to the thousands of students and researchers who rely on this library daily for their studies and research.

Risk of over 8.5 lakh books becoming 'homeless'

The crisis is compounded by the sheer scale of the four-story library, which spans an area of ​​approximately 5,500 square meters. This vast complex houses over 8.5 lakh books, rare documents, and historical government records.

Documents detailing government operations and the history of independent India—dating back to the British era—are preserved here. Arrangements have not yet been made for a space large enough to safely accommodate such a vast collection of books and voluminous records.

Direct impact on students' studies

The library is not used solely by government officials; hundreds of students preparing for the UPSC and other competitive examinations also visit daily to study. With its peaceful atmosphere and the availability of books across a wide range of subjects, this place was nothing short of a boon for students. Now, however, the closure of the library—or its relocation without a confirmed new site—threatens to completely disrupt the students' daily studies.

Although the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is discussing the search for a new location, uncertainty regarding the future of this 135-year-old library will persist until a secure and permanent site is finalized. Students and experts alike maintain that the government must take concrete steps as soon as possible to preserve this historic treasure.