Delhi High Court declines to stop construction at Central Vista, slaps Rs 1 lakh cost

'Ill-intent, motivated'

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday said the petitioners seeking to halt construction activity in connection with Central Vista redevelopment project had "ill-intent and lack of bonafides", as it junked their plea and slapped Rs 1Lakh cost on them.

A bench comprising Justice Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh did not mince words in questioning the genuineness of the petition. "We are of the view that this is a motivated petition preferred by the petitioners and not a genuine public interest litigation."

The bench added that the whole Central Vista Project is an essential project of national importance, where the sovereign functions of Parliament are also to be conducted and public is vitally interested in this project. "It is obvious that petitioners have selectively chosen only one project which is of national importance, at a vital place where Republic Day celebrations are held in Delhi and is a part and parcel of the larger project, namely, Central Vista Project", said the bench.

The ongoing construction work for the Central Vista Project has come under heavy criticism by the main Opposition Congress party in the backdrop of second wave of the Covid pandemic.

The High Court reiterated that work on the project is of national importance, and it has to be completed within time-bound schedule by November 2021. "Central Vista Avenue Redevelopment Project is equally important and essential as the Central Vista Project (the main project). If this type of project is stopped, the main project cannot be completed within the stipulated time", said the bench in the verdict. (IANS)

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