Centre defends Central Vista Project in Delhi HC, ‘construction in accordance with COVID guidelines’
The two-judge bench meanwhile noted that reply was not on record and directed to bring the Center's affidavit on record. The court said that it will hear the petition tomorrow.
FollowThe Central government on Tuesday filed a reply to the petition in Delhi High Court seeking to stop construction activity in the Central Vista Project.
Defending ongoing work on Central Vista projects, the Central government on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that the petition seeking to stop the construction of the project is "sheer abuse of the process of law and is one more attempt to stall the project." The Centre also urged the High Court to dismiss the petition with exemplary costs on the ground that it is an abuse of the process of law.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta while responding to the petition before the Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh at the Delhi Court, argued that 400 workers for redevelopment of the Central Vista Avenue were engaged “well before” the imposition of curfew in Delhi. He pointed out that as per order dated 19.04.2021 by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, construction activities during curfew are permitted where labourers are residing on-site.
The plea filed by petitioner Anya Malhotra seeks a stay in ongoing construction activity on the part of the Central Vista project in New Delhi during the pandemic.]
This is very important public space and most widely visited by common public and tourists in Delhi, it added.
"It may be noted that the scope of work is as follows: (i.) Providing public amenities like toilet blocks, paths, parking space, vendorzone; 3 (ii.) Making four pedestrian underpasses below Janpath and C-Hexagon Road. (iii.) Improvement of canals, bridges, lawns, lights etc," it further stated.
The petitioner despite being aware of the same has mischievously suppressed it, the affidavit said.
The affidavit also said full arrangements have been made to ensure that the construction activities happen in compliance with the Covid protocol.
The two-judge bench meanwhile noted that reply was not on record and directed to bring the Center's affidavit on record. The court said that it will hear the petition tomorrow.
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