SC bars construction, demolition or tree felling at Central Vista project

Just days ahead of the foundation-laying ceremony of the new Parliament building, the Supreme Court on Monday expressed its displeasure with the manner in which the Central government is proceeding with construction work under the Central Vista project.

Hearing a bunch of petitions, the Supreme Court said that no construction or demolition work or felling of trees shall take place at the Central Vista project site. The court said such direction would remain valid till it decides on the pleas which have opposed the Central Vista project.

Importantly, the court refused to stay the foundation-laying of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 10, i.e. Thursday. This order came after the Centre assured the court that it will not go ahead with construction or demolition work for the Central Vista project till apex court's decision on the matter.

The court said the Centre can proceed with requisite paperwork and proposed ground-breaking ceremony for the Central Vista project.

During the hearing, an unhappy Supreme Court bench had granted just 5-minute time to the Centre to apprise it of the government’s view on the construction of the Central Vista project.