NBCC Delivers World-Class Global Health Landmark: Redeveloped WHO–SEARO Headquarters Inaugurated

The redeveloped headquarters of the World Health Organization – South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO–SEARO) at Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi, was inaugurated on 19th  December 2025 by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, DG, WHO, during the closing ceremony of the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held from 17th–19th December 2025, New Delhi. The inauguration was done in the august presence of Shri J. P. Nadda, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers and Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush & Hon'ble Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with senior officers of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Ayush and WHO. The inauguration marked a significant milestone in India’s commitment to global public health and its leadership in integrating traditional knowledge systems with modern healthcare.

Executed by NBCC (India) Limited, India’s premier Navratna CPSE, the landmark redevelopment stands as a testament to the country’s capability to deliver world-class institutional infrastructure of international importance, combining modern design, sustainability and heritage conservation. The redevelopment has transformed the original 1962 structure into a modern, future-ready and sustainable institutional complex, aligned with global standards. Apart from housing the WHO-SEARO office, the building will also play host the India Country Office.

Dignitaries including Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, DG, WHO, Shri J. P. Nadda, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers and Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge),Ministry of Ayush & Hon'ble Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, senior officials and foreign delegates also visited the redeveloped headquarters of WHO–SEARO after its inauguration.

The project was implemented following an MoU signed in January 2019 between NBCC (India) Limited and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, representing WHO–SEARO. Built on the same plot where its original building stood, NBCC has successfully optimised land use to achieve a fourfold increase (from earlier about 10,500 sq.m. to now 40,500 sq.m.) in built-up area and nearly double the occupancy capacity (to more than 600 now), ensuring the facility can support both present and future needs of the region.

 

The newly redeveloped WHO–SEARO complex comprises a high-rise office development with a common podium and three interconnected towers, rising to a height of about 82.7 metres. Designed to facilitate high-level international meetings, policy deliberations and administrative functions, the complex seamlessly blends functionality with comfort and aesthetics.