On Wednesday, an appeal asking for a standstill the construction of the Central Vista redevelopment project considering the COVID-19 situation in the country was mentioned on Wednesday before the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court had secluded the matter for May 17 on Tuesday. Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra appearing for the suitors acknowledged NV Ramana, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) that the movement of laborers, workers, and other construction activities at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic will inflict devastation on the health system.
He also mentioned that the matter should be heard at the earliest highlighting that the suitors ‘aren’t challenging the project itself’ but only asking for the stopping or halt on the movement of laborers during the global pandemic.
Throughout the process of hearing in the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, the Additional Solicitor General said his “conscience is tremble ” following hearing about the edge of construction workers. He looks for time from the court to file a reply. Nevertheless, the court adjourned the matter to 17 May 2021.
Further, the bench led by Chief Justice DN Patel asserted that the Hon’ble Court is not emanating a notice at this point. “We want to inquire the Supreme Court judgment on the matter,” the bench said.
CJI Ramana advised that the matter is to be mentioned before the High Court itself but the council said that it had already been done. The suitors have asked for a halt on the Central Vista redevelopment project for the COVID-19 circumstances in the country and the menaces posed by the Construction work as a potential super spreader.
Also, The Ministry of Environment has already accorded authorization for the extension and refurbishment of the existing Parliament building, which is part of the Rs 13,450 crore Central Vista Redevelopment Project.
