New Delhi: On Monday, the Supreme Court allowed the Center to go ahead with the groundbreaking ceremony proposed for the Vista Central project after the government assured it that no construction or demolition work would take place until the supreme court decides. the pending reasons on the subject.
During the hearing, the court criticized the Center for starting construction activities even though the Supreme Court was hearing the allegations against it. “We have shown deference to you and hope you will act prudently. The same deference must be shown to the Court and there must be no demolition or construction, ”said Judge AM Khanwilkar, according to LiveLaw.
Attorney General Tushar Mehta told a court headed by Judge Khanwilkar that there would only be one groundbreaking ceremony for the project and that no construction would begin from now on.
The court later said that there should be no construction, demolition or logging at the site, but the Center is free to continue with the required paperwork and also carry out the groundbreaking ceremony. LiveLaw reported.
Bank: Indicate the statement of the SG on file. We clarify in light of the above that the authorities will be free to undertake other formal processes without altering the site in any way, including continuing with the foundation stone scheduled for December 10.
– Living Law (@LiveLawIndia) December 7, 2020
The renovation project, which was announced in September last year, envisages a new triangular Parliament building, with capacity for between 900 and 1,200 deputies, and the goal is to build it in August 2022, when the country will celebrate its 75th Day of the independence.
The common Central Secretariat is likely to be built by 2024 as part of the project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone on December 10 for the new Parliament building and construction is expected to be completed in 2022 at an estimated cost of Rs 971 million, said Lok Sabha Chairman Om Birla, the December 5th.
The higher court knows the reasons that have raised doubts on various aspects, including the environmental authorization granted to the project. Several questions have been raised about the proposed projects in Central Vista by environmentalists, heritage experts, architects and former public officials. For example, the renowned architect and urban planner AG Krishna Menon wrote in The wire:
“Obviously, there is more at stake in the project than meets the eye. What is the urgent compulsion of a democratically elected government to spend more than Rs. 20 billion rupees on this controversial project? Given growing evidence of a sluggish economy, voices of concern had been expressed even before the project was announced regarding the huge outlay of public money, for example on bullet trains and massive statues. Now, with COVID-19 and the imperative to alleviate the hardships it imposes on the country’s “collarless” citizens and immediate health needs, this extravaganza borders on the unbridled and perfidious.
… Modi is determined to deliver a centennial gift to RSS. He will add a feather to his hat that, in an election year (2024), could help him get reelected. This is his moment and he will exploit it, despite all the criticism and objection. He has no credible political opposition: he did not consider it necessary to consult them to build a new parliament. Its ministers kindly kneel when tasked with getting a job done: Urban Development Minister Hardeep Puri, a former distinguished diplomat, for example, voluntarily ignored the protocols of democratic government when he proclaimed that the Central Vista redevelopment being implemented was from Modiji ”dream”. “
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