Central Vista Project: SC Quashes Petition Challenging Change In Land Use

The petitioner also said that the Central government betrayed the trust of the public by issuing the notification with the intention of usurping free open spaces in Central Vista area.

Supreme Court | File Photo

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed a petition that challenged the change in land use of a plot where the new official residence of the vice president will be constructed as part of the Central Vista project in Lutyens' Delhi.

The top court dismissed the plea which said that the Central Vista Redevelopment Project will impact a "public recreational" zone. 

The petitioner also said that the Central government betrayed the trust of the public by issuing the notification with the intention of usurping free open spaces in Central Vista area that belongs to the people of India, quoted Bar and Bench.

A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar said that sufficient explanation has been offered by authorities concerned which justify the change in land use of the plot.

We find no reason to examine the matter further and therefore put a quietus to the entire controversy by dismissing this petition, the bench, also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and C T Ravikumar, said, mentioned a PTI report.

The bench said that unless the petitioner is alleging malafides, the Court cannot interfere since it is a matter of policy.

"Petitioner has not argued that change in land use is in a malafide manner. It is the argument of the petitioner that since in the past it was a recreational area it should have been retained like that. This cannot be scope of judicial review. It is the for the authority concerned and is a matter of public policy," a Bar and Bench report quoted the bench.

The Central Vista revamp, announced in September 2019 envisages a new triangular Parliament building, with a seating capacity for 900 to 1,200 MPs, that is to be constructed by August, 2022 when the country will celebrate its 75th Independence Day.

The common Central Secretariat is to be built by 2024 under the project that covers a three-km stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate in the national capital.

(With PTI inputs)