SC stays construction of parking lot at Siri Fort complex

The Supreme Court today stayed the construction of a parking lot at Siri Fort Sports Complex as part of preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2010 on a plea filed by a morning walker who objected to the felling of trees for the project. A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan while asking the authorities to consider an alternative site for the parking lot ordered status quo till further orders. The petitioner had approached the apex court seeking direction to the DDA not to damage forests near the Siri Fort Sports Complex which is being spruced up for the international sports event. While opposing the petition, Additional Solicitor general Amarender Saran said the government was already working against deadlines and a stay order would delay the project. Counsel M L Lahoty appearing for the petitioner said the government was destroying the greenery in area in the name of Commonwealth Games and the trees in the area should not be saved at any cost. He alleged that the greenery was being destroyed in the guise of laying roads for VIP movement around the sports complex which would cause difficulty to several people who go there for their walks in the morning. The counsel submitted that DDA has allotted 14 acres land to provide facilities for Commonwealth Games 2010 near the Siri Forest area and the Siri Fort Sports Complex. Apart from the allotted 14 acres of land, DDA is encroaching upon the green belt of the Sports Complex and destroying it by felling hundreds of trees in the area for building the golf driving range, a children's corner and a skating rink, the application said.

"Loved reading this piece by Kalpana.S ?
Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!"

Join our Telegram group

Join our Whatsapp group