Centre calls plea seeking stay on Vista project abuse of law, asks to dump it

New Delhi: The Centre termed the plea seeking an interim stay on the Central Vista Avenue project an abuse of the process of law. In a statement made in the Delhi High Court in response to the plea, the Centre sought the dismissal of the plea, which it said was another attempt to stop its prestigious project.

The petition filed by Anya Malhotra, a translator, and Sohail Hashmi, historian and documentary filmmaker, stated that they are worried about "super spreading potential and threat" posed by the Covid 19 viruses in the capital and questioned why or how the project constitutes an 'essential service' merely because some executive mandated contractual deadline has to be met.

However, the Centre, in a written reply, had stated that the redevelopment of the Central Vista Avenue was begun "well before" the imposition of lockdown in Delhi and the 400 workers working on the project are staying at the site in compliance with the Delhi government's Covid-19 guidelines.

However, the Centre, in a written reply, had stated that the redevelopment of the Central Vista Avenue was begun "well before" the imposition of lockdown in Delhi and the 400 workers working on the project are staying at the site in compliance with the Delhi government's Covid-19 guidelines.

The Centre argued that according to Para 8 of the April 19 order of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, construction activities during curfew are permitted where labourers are residing on-site.

The Centre further said that a Covid-compliant facility had been installed at the worksite to accommodate the 250 workers. "The facility provides for strict implementation of Covid-appropriate behaviour, such as sanitisation, thermal screening, physical/social distancing and masking," said the government.

It also told the court that the contractor has provided for health insurance against Covid-19 for all the workers and that a separate facility for conducting RT-PCR test, isolation and medical aid has also been provided at the site.

The government brought into the notice of the court about other construction activities across Delhi by several other agencies such as CPWD, NBCC, DMRC, PWD, IICC and DDA and said "the petitioner has chosen to be a 'public-spirited citizen' only with regard to one project only speaks volumes about his intentions and motive behind filing the present petition that to suppressing all these facts".

The court on Tuesday said it will hear the case on Wednesday.