Delhi High Court gives go ahead for Half Marathon to be held
Appearing for the event promoter, senior counsel Rajiv Nayyar says that around 150 mist fans would be deployed at varying heights at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
The Delhi High Court has cleared the way for the Half Marathon to be held in the Capital on November 19 after the organisers informed the court that participants will get a refund of the amount if they wanted to withdraw their candidature in view of the air pollution situation.
A bench of Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva allowed the organisers, Procam International and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to go ahead with the event, after they mentioned the measures taken to give the best facilities possible to the participants.
"The DPCC have placed on record the measures taken to prevent medical emergency and to ensure, provide the most conducive environment and the route for the participants. The organisers have facilitated the refund of money to those who do not wish to participate in the event in wake of the pollution," the court said while allowing the event to be conducted.
The court was informed that on the date of the event, the entire course would be washed with treated water mixed with salt and thereafter there would be intermittent spraying of water on the route from 2 am to 10 am.
Appearing for the event promoter, senior counsel Rajiv Nayyar said that around 150 mist fans would be deployed at varying heights at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
"Two medical camps, 75 doctors, 100 nurses, 50 physiotherapists, 12 water stations, 98,000 bisleri bottles have been kept for the participants. In addition, Max Hospital is nearby in case there is a medical emergency," he said.
Appearing for Delhi government, Naushad Ahmed Khan, said that the conditions are now "viable" and the event could be conducted. Following this, the court allowed the organisers to go ahead with the event, adding that the participants can opt out if they want.
The court's order comes in wake of a letter written by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) urging to pass necessary directions to postpone the Delhi Half Marathon after terming the air quality of the national capital as "poor" and "unsafe."