The Delhi High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar, irked at the mass felling of trees in the Capital, on Thursday (July 26) directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to place on record copies of the complete sanction and grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) for the entire redevelopment programme/works undertaken, as a result of which the mass felling of trees have happened. The court also ordered that status quo be maintained till next hearing.

The court wants a list of proposed developments and the complete record of consideration and grant of the above projects.

When the DPCC, DDA and the NDMC sought time to file counter affidavit, the court allowed one week.

The court said: “It cannot be denied that development and the redevelopment project has immediate effect on the traffic or water table. The redevelopment under consideration which falls in the jurisdiction of NDMC, PWD Delhi concerned with roads, Irrigation and Flood control department also directed to be impleded as Respondents.”

The court said that compete copies should be given to Dr Ahluwalia and Gautam Bhan (Urban Development Planners) and that till further date of hearing respondents shall ensure to maintain status quo.

The bench observed that it was extremely worrying that these projects were passed with no application of mind. It asked NBCC “why didn’t you consider the possible effects of redevelopment?” The court asked if it was considered that the traffic density will change, or about air pollution, about public health, education.”

The bench also said that in its affidavit the NBCC hadn’t even disclosed how much commercial is there.

At this the NBCC said that it was sanctioned by the Union Cabinet and that “We are not the planner. In accordance with the master plan, I am the contractor, NBCC. I am not the government.”

—India Legal Bureau