Pinnacle Court questions Union Government about ongoing Central Vista project construction work despite of ban regarding Delhi pollution

Pinnacle Court questions union government about ongoing Central Vista project construction work despite of ban regarding Delhi pollution

The Supreme Court had earlier sought the Centre's response in the matter after a petition was filed before it.

When senior advocate Vikas Singh pointed out that Central Vista construction was going on in full swing despite a ban on construction, the CJI said: “We are struggling to control pollution. Whether it is Central vista or industry or anything else. We will ask them to explain. Don't flag certain issues and focus on those. Otherwise, the issue will be diverted.”

“We will ask the Solicitor General to explain the Central Vista issue. We have asked him what's the role of the Central government,” Justice Ramana added.

The bench headed by CJI NV Ramana and comprising Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant, asked the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta to get instructions from the Central Government regarding the submissions of Singh

To this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said: "We have filed an affidavit today.”

The Union government has informed the Supreme Court that all construction activities in Delhi by the Central Public Works Department have been halted in compliance with the directions of the top court to curb air pollution, except the Central Vista redevelopment which is a project of "national importance" (Aditya Dubey vs Union of India).

The new Parliament building and Central Vista avenues are projects of national importance and all measures are being taken to minimise pollution, the Centre told the Supreme Court on why the construction project was continuing despite a ban on the activity in the national capital in view of hazardous air pollution. "The project complies with Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules and each and every condition which is put to ensure that it does not cause any pollution," the Centre said in its response to the Court.

The Central government in it affidavit submitted before the top court today, said that it is employing all measures for Central Vista redevelopment such as anti-smog guns, mist-spray systems, use of dust-suppressants like magnesium chloride, use of conveyor belts to transfer construction material, keeping all construction material in wet condition etc.

They also submitted that it is willing to furnish additional details of pollution-control measures at the Central Vista site if the Bench so desires.

The case is adjourned to be heard by the top court on December 2.