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SC gives nod to redevelopment plan for Central Vista project

Several pleas have challenged the construction of Central Vista project in the Lutyen's zone, alleging certain violations.

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the redevelopment plan for Central Vista with a majority and held that there are no infirmities in clearances given or changes in land use. The environmental clearances have also been upheld.

A bench of the Apex Court, headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar was hearing several pleas challenging the construction of Central Vista project in the Lutyen's zone, alleging certain violations, including change in land use and environmental compliances.

"We have discussed 16 broad heads, Justice Khanwilkar said and added, that all parameters and aspects have been considered while hearing the petitions.

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

The heritage conservation Committee approval needed when construction work is to begin, the Apex Court said in its judgement and directed the project proponents to get approval from the heritage committee.

It also ordered the installation of smog guns during construction. It also directed that smog towers must also to be installed in Central Vista area post-completion.

On November 5, last year, a bench comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna had reserved the verdict on a clutch of petitions. The project envisages a new triangular Parliament building, with a seating capacity of up to 1,200 MPs. The project is estimated to be constructed by August 2022, when the country will celebrate its 75th Independence Day.

Earlier, the apex court on December 7 had allowed the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Parliament building on December 10 but directed that no construction should take place. The top court had said that it expected that it is dealing with a prudent litigant and that some deference will be shown. "We don't mind if you do paperwork or lay foundation stone but no construction should be done," said the court.

There was an announcement by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla of the government's plans for Bhoomipujan for the new Parliament building. "We clarify that the authorities would be free to continue with procedural processes without altering the status of the site(s) in question in any manner, including to continue with the scheduled programme of foundation stone-laying on December 10, 2020," said the top court.

On December 10, 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 Rs 20,000 crores Central Vista project. The construction is expected to be completed by 2022 at an estimated cost of Rs 971 crore and the common Central Secretariat is likely to be built by 2024.

The petitioners have been challenging the project and alleged that there is an illegal change in land use and have urged the court to quash the project. The petitioners have challenged a notification issued by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on December 21, 2019, regarding changes in land use for the redevelopment.

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