NEW DELHI: Ten years into construction, India's symbolic gift of democracy to Afghanistan — it's parliament building — is on its last dash to the finishing line with plans afoot to get Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kabul soon for its inauguration.The PMO’s push is one major reason why work on this much delayed project is now near completion. Modi, reliable sources told ET, was keen that the building be ready for him to undertake the visit.The project, which was initiated by the UPA government in 2007 as a mark of friendship and cooperation to rebuild war-torn Afghanistan, is finally nearing completion and set to meet its December 31 deadline.Afghanistan Parliament building had to be completed in November 2011 but has missed at least three deadlines over the last four years. In the latest review conducted by secretary (urban development) Madhusudan Prasad, Central Public Works Department ( CPWD ), the implementing agency, informed that 96% of the works have been completed and the project team is giving final touches.The CPWD team is moving with utmost urgency as the instructions to wrap up the building project have come from PM Narendra Modi. In October, Modi had expressed concern over delay in the construction of the building and had directed External Affairs ministry and CPWD to expedite work to avoid further cost and time overruns. The project had been conceived as a Rs 300 crore venture but is likely to cost the exchequer Rs 710 crore.The Parliament building, which has elements of Mughal and modern architecture, will have Asia’s largest dome as its key feature. It is situated between decades-old historic landmarks King Palace ‘Darul Aman’ and Queen Palace — which bear the marks of the war and tell the story of conflict and devastation. The building has Wolesi Jirga or the Lower House with a seating capacity of 294, a 190-seat Meshrano Jirga or Upper House, Entrance lobby, offices, conference rooms, dining halls, press room, library, auditorium and parking facilities. A water body with 9 cascading fountains is also being constructed in front of the building.The key reason behind the project was Delhi’s willingness to emphasise its position in the region as the main development partner of Afghanistan. When he inaugurates the Parliament building, Modi wants to emphasise India’s role as amajor player in the region.