Central Vista: Centre Opposes PIL Calling It ‘Disguise’ To Stall Project, Delhi HC Reserves Judgement

New Delhi: Opposing a PIL filed in the Delhi High Court to halt the construction of the Central Vista project in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Centre on Monday alleged that plea was a “façade” to stall the work.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta while opposing the petitioners’ claims in the High Court said that the plea was a “façade”, a “disguise” in the form of a PIL to stall the project which they always wanted to stop.

Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra told the High Court that his clients were only delivering a message of health and safety for the people of Delhi, adding if the government cannot see it then it was a “sorry reflection” of their concerns for the lives of the citizens.

Luthra contended that the Central Government’s submissions with regard to the availability of medical facilities, testing centre etc. on site were all falsehoods and referred to the ongoing project work as not Central Vista, rather “central fortress of death” and comparing it to “Auschwitz” – a German concentration camp during World War-II, PTI reported.

Stating that only empty tents have been set up at the place, the senior advocate informed the High Court that there were no beds or bedding for workers to stay or sleep there.

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Luthra also contended that while the Centre claims some workers stayed back willingly to work on the project, no proof of their willingness has been shown.

He also said that if any facilities have been created at the site then it was for the reason that the High Court agreed to hear the matter.

Expressing displeasure with the project being referred to as “Auschwitz”, the Solicitor General said one can criticise and be venomous about it but such terms should not be used in court.

Mehta countered the petitioners’ claims and said one of the petitioners has been opposed to the project long before it got the go-ahead from the Supreme Court earlier in January this year.

Urging the High Court to dismiss the plea, the Solicitor General said the petitioners were not concerned for the health and safety of workers at the other constructions going on in the city.

“Public interest is very selective (in the instant case) with regard to the health of workmen,” he added.

The petitioners on the other hand contended they were only interested in the safety of the workers at the site and the citizens’ lives and compared the project to “Auschwitz”.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh, which heard the arguments for over three hours, reserved its judgement in the matter.

The petition, filed through advocates Gautam Khazanchi and Pradyuman Kaistha, said the project entails construction activity on Rajpath and the surrounding lawns from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhawan.