Central Vista essential, work to continue: Delhi High Court dismisses challenge

Mangalore Today News Network / NDTV

New Delhi, May 31, 2021:       Amid criticism over the ongoing construction work for the Central Vista redevelopment project, the Delhi High Court today said it is an "essential national project". Refusing to stay the construction work amid pandemic, the court fined the petitioner ₹ 1 lakh and said the plea was "motivated" and "not genuine".

 

No question arises of suspending the construction work as "the labourers are staying at the site", the court said during the hearing this morning.

As per the contract given to the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the construction has to be completed by November so it should to be allowed to continue, the court stressed.

The construction of the ₹ 20,000 crore project in the heart of the national capital has been brought under the ambit of "essential services", angering the opposition.

In Delhi, which was under a lockdown for over a month, the construction work was permitted at construction sites where workers have been given on-site accommodation.

This redevelopment project envisages a new triangular parliament building, a common central secretariat and revamping of the three-kilometre-long Rajpath from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate.The grand makeover plan also recently received an environmental clearance, paving the way for a new home for the Prime Minister to be built by December 2022. The Vice President’s house is expected to be completed by next May.