Delhi High Court (HC) on Monday dismissed a plea seeking direction to halt ongoing constriction of the Central Vista Avenue Redevelopment Project in the national capital in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it also slapped a fine of Rs one lakh against the petitioner saying that this is not public interest litigation.
Citing the importance of time, the Division Bench of Chief Justice of Delhi Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh stated, ” the project has to be completed before November 2021, which is of national interest.”
The Court also stated that workers are provided all facilities pertaining to COVID-19. It stated that it has found no reason to stop the project. It noted the project is of vital importance and cannot be seen in isolation. The court imposed a Rs 1 lakh fine on petitioners and said it is a motivated plea and not a PIL.
The Court has also held that Central Vista construction work is an essential project of national importance.
Delhi HC while refusing to stay construction work, said, “the workers are stationed on-site and no question of suspending the construction work arises.”
The Court was hearing a plea seeking direction to halt/suspend all construction activity of the Central Vista Avenue Redevelopment Project in compliance with orders issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority during the subsistence of the peak phase of the COVID pandemic.
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