Central Vista A Project Of National Importance; Measures Taken To Ensure No Pollution : Centre Tells Supreme Court

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has told the Supreme Court that the Central Vista development project and the construction work for the new Parliament building are projects of national importance. The Ministry further informed the bench that  projects of national importance subject to their compliance with the relevant norms were exempted from the construction ban imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR, as per its order passed on November 16.

The Ministry further affirmed that the Parliamentary building and the Central Vista avenue site complies with the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules and each and every condition which is put is to ensure that it does not cause any pollution.

"So far as construction of new Parliament Building and redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue is concerned, the answering respondent has taken all the measures as contemplated under the C&D Waste Management Rules which inter-alia includes measures like use of anti-smog gun, mist spray system, use of dust suppressant like magnesium chloride, use of conveyor belt to transfer construction material, keeping all construction material in wet condition etc," the affidavit states.

The affidavit has been filed in compliance with the Top Court's order dated November 29, 2021 wherein the bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant had sought Centre's response with regards to the allegation that construction work for the Central Vista Redevelopment project was a major cause of pollution.

Though the Commission had lifted the construction ban with effect from November 22, the Supreme Court had re-imposed the ban on construction works as per its order passed on November 24, in view of the worsening air quality situation in the national capita.

The Ministry in its affidavit has further submitted that at present the construction activities are being undertaken in two parts:

• The new Parliament building and Central Vista avenues which are projects of national importance; and
• Metro Rail, Railways, Airports, ISBTs etc

All other construction activities that were being carried out by CPWD in Delhi and NCR Region were stopped in compliance with the direction No 44, "Dust Control Measures", passed by the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas.

The Supreme Court will consider the matter tomorrow.

Case : Aditya Dubey versus Union of India, WP(c) 1135/2020.