India / Supreme Court approves ₹20,000-crore Central Vista Project

New Delhi: The Supreme Court, in a majority verdict, today upheld the environmental clearance and notification for change in land use for the Central Vista Project in the National Capital. In its judgment, the Apex court said the exercise of the power under the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Act was valid and the recommendations of environmental clearance by the Ministry of Environment proper. The three-judge bench hearing the case comprised Justices Dinesh Maheshwar, A. M. Khanwilkar and Sanjiv Khanna.

The Supreme Court also said that it also calls upon the Ministry of Environment to install smog towers in future projects, particularly in those cities where pollution is an issue.

The Apex Court said in its judgement that the heritage conservation Committee approval needed when construction work is to begin. It also directed the project proponents to get approval from the heritage committee. The SC was hearing a batch of petitions that questioned whether the project complied with land use and environmental regulations peculiar to the area which houses the Parliament and Central Secretariat buildings.

Earlier, the Supreme Court on 7th of December had allowed the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Parliament building, but on 10th of December it directed that no construction should take place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone and performed Bhumi Pujan for the construction of the new Parliament building, which is a part of the 20,000 crores rupees Central Vista project.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has welcomed the judgement of Supreme Court giving the go ahead for the ambitious Central Vista Project.

In a tweet, the Minister said, Central Government has always been sensitive to environmental concerns and will continue to adhere to the highest standards during the period of construction. He added that Delhi is on course to becoming a World Class capital city and a new Parliament building will be ready by the time nation completes 75 years of its Independence in 2022.