Central Vista redevelopment: SC refuses to stay ground work

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 19

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the ground work pertaining to Central Vista redevelopment project in Lutyens’ zone of the national capital.

A Bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar said it can’t restrain authorities from acting as per law just because spade work for environmental clearance for the project has been questioned before it.

However, it said, “If Government goes ahead when we are seized of this, it will be at their own risk and cost.”

The top court asked the government to respond to Rajeev Suri’s petition challenging the project on the ground that there was an illegal change in land use.

While posting the matter for further hearing on July 7, the Bench also allowed Suri to amend his petition.

The top court made it clear that any other proceeding regarding the project will be considered as consolidated.

The Central Vista redevelopment plan — which aims to free up to 75 acre land in the heart of the capital — involves demolition of around 10 buildings, including Shastri Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Vigyan Bhawan, Vice-President’s House and Lok Nayak Bhawan.

It is planned that a common central secretariat complex and a new Parliament building would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore.

Suri alleged that the notice inviting objections for the change of land use of several plots in Central Vista was not in conformity with Delhi Master Plan-2021 and other relevant laws and norms.

During the hearing on Friday, senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, representing Suri, sought a stay on the project. Authorities were churning out approvals for construction despite pending applications, he alleged.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed stay. He said he can’t give any assurance of no work on ground will be done.

“Lordships can say whatever happens…whatever work is done will be subject to the orders of the court,” Mehta submitted.

Mehta asserted that there was no overreaching of process of court in the government’s pursuit of clearances for the project.

This is the second time in less than two months that the Supreme Court has refused to stay re-development of Central Vista area of New Delhi, saying there was no urgency.

“During COVID-19, nobody is going to do anything… there is no urgency,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde had said on April 30.

Invoking ‘larger public interest’, the top court had in March transferred to itself petitions challenging the re-development of New Delhi’s Central Vista area from the Delhi High Court.