NEW DELHI: The citizens of Delhi along with environment activists welcomed the Delhi HC order putting a halt on the Nauroji Nagar redevelopment project. While the case and proceedings show a violation of environmental laws, it also shows violation of urban planning norms, observed environmentalists. The seven redevelopment project across the city was supposed to cut nearly 16,500 trees which triggered intense protests by from the citizens.
Vimlendu Jha, an environmentalist, said that the state authorities had not responded to questions raised by the court, specifically how a tree can be equal to a sapling, and yet was keen to have the stay lifted.
During the hearing, Gopal Bhan, a senior advocate who appeared for Dr Kaushal Kant Mishra quipped that the Delhi Preservation of Trees Authority had become more focussed on authorizing tree felling rather than their preservation. The date for the next hearing on these matters was fixed for 6 September.
The judges took a stern view of NBCC and Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) raising this matter afresh, given that it was discussed and decided (though not issued as an order) at the previous hearing.
A fresh date was fixed only on their request based on their desire to suggest revised plans.
In the last hearing, Gautam Bhan, an urban planning expert, and amicus curiae, told the bench that the environment report for the Nauroji Nagar project contained several portions that were copy-pasted from a report seeking clearance for a mine in Tamil Nadu as the names of the state's lakes were mentioned in the Nauroji Nagar report. Bhan had also said the environment clearance was given separately for each colony although the entire redevelopment project involving seven colonies was integrated.
On Thursday, the judges reiterated that a copy-paste approach was not acceptable for such an important project. They also confirmed that a piecemeal approach would not pass muster.
Meanwhile, the Central government has informed the court that it is reconsidering the redevelopment of the residential project in the remaining six south Delhi colonies -- Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Thyagaraja Nagar, Mohammadpur, Kasturba Nagar and Srinivaspuri.
The court made it abundantly clear that the central government and NBCC could review the plans for six or all seven colonies but that a view will be taken on the same only after these were submitted in court.
The court has asked the Central government to file an affidavit on with the revised plan within two weeks and listed the matter for further hearing on October 3.