On Monday (May 10, 2021), the Delhi High Court agreed to hear tomorrow a petition that seeks to pause construction work related to the BJP government’s Central Vista redevelopment project. Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra informed the division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh of a Supreme Court order, gave the petitioner liberty to mention the matter in the high court for an early hearing on account of the COVID-19 health emergency.
What is the central vista project?
Central vista project is a project to give a new identity to the ‘power corridor’ of India. The plan includes the construction of a new parliament, prime minister, and vice-president’s residences along with 10 building blocks that will accommodate all government ministries and departments.
The plea pointed out that Central Vista Project cannot be considered as an “essential service” during this time, just because there is an executive-mandated contractual deadline.
In the absence of provision of on-site accommodation in this Project, the impugned acts are contrary to and in gross violation of the Orders issued in the public interest by the Delhi Disaster Management Authorities.
"In the current dismal scenario, this Project has no feature of “essentiality” for and/or of “service” to the public at large.
It should be noted that people are struggling during the pandemic due to the unavailability of essential medicines and oxygen. The central vista project is not the need of the hour and the government should look into emergency matters for the public.
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