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Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 7

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed displeasure over the Centre going ahead with the Central Vista Redevelopment Project without waiting for its verdict, even as it allowed the December 10 scheduled foundation laying for the project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A Bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar gave the concession after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta undertook on behalf of the Centre that no construction, demolition or felling of trees will take place until the matter was finally adjudicated upon.

The Bench, which clarified that the government could proceed with paperwork, had on April 30 refused to stay the project. The top court, which had on November 5 reserved its verdict on PILs challenging various permissions given by authorities for redevelopment of Central Vista in Lutyens’ Delhi, specially assembled after coming to know that the government was going ahead with the project without waiting for its verdict.

“We have shown deference to you and expected that you will act in a prudent manner. The same deference should be shown to the court and there should be no demolition or construction,” the court told Mehta.

As the court expressed its displeasure, Mehta took time out from the court to seek instructions. He came back in five minutes, apologised to the court and gave an undertaking about not effecting any physical changes at the site.

Gujarat-based architecture firm HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd has won the consultancy bid for the ambitious project.

The petitioners, including activist Rajeev Suri, have challenged various permissions given to the project, including the nod for change of land use and environmental clearance. They have questioned the project over the historical value of the existing building.

Asserting there was no element of arbitrariness or favouritism in selection of the consultant for the project, the Centre has defended the project saying it would “save money” paid as rent for housing Central government ministries.

10 buildings to be razed

Central Vista project is to come up on 75 acres in the heart of Delhi and involves demolition of around 10 buildings
These include Shastri Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Vigyan Bhawan, V-P’s House and Lok Nayak Bhawan
Envisages a new triangular Parliament building and a common Central Secretariat