A petition claiming that the Central Vista Redevelopment Project will affect a “public recreation area” was rejected today by the Supreme Court on the grounds that “anything can be criticized, but constructive criticism is required”.
“No private property is created there. The Vice President’s residence is created. It is likely surrounded by vegetation. said Judge AM Khanwilkar. He said in a series of harsh comments during the hearing.
“Shall we now begin to ask the common man where the Vice President’s residence will be?” Further questions
The project includes the redevelopment of a 3.2 km stretch in the heart of Delhi, which was designed by the British before independence for 20 billion rupees.
In his petition, the social activist Rajeev Suri said that the land use in some areas had been changed from “public recreation” to “housing” for the project. He argued that this would affect the area currently designated for public recreation.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court today that the center is “expanding green spaces as part of a major development.”
It was the prerogative of the authorities involved to change the development plan, said the higher court in response to the opinion and emphasized that it was “a question of politics”.
The government urged the court to reject the “ill-conceived” petition.
The government said the property in question had been used by the Department of Defense for years and the government had decided to expand several public recreational areas for the greater benefit of the public under the Vista Central master plan.
The renovation project should be completed next year when India celebrates 75 years of independence. Several government buildings will be remodelled as part of the project, including the Parliament building and the Ministry’s offices.
