The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Government to inform whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was conducted before amendments were proposed to the Delhi Master Plan, 2021.
A bench of Justices Madan B lokur and Deepak Gupta directed the DDA, Delhi Government and the civic agencies to file within a week an affidavit giving details on whether issues such as safety of buildings, traffic congestion, parking and availability of civic amenities were taken into account before proposing the amendment.
The Court was referring to the recent amendment proposed by DDA to bring floor area ratio (FAR) for shop-cum-residence plots and complexes at par with residential plots. This move was seen to be a great relief to traders facing the threat of sealing. FAR is the ratio of a building's total floor area (gross floor area) to the size of the piece of land upon which it is built.
The bench also wished to know from the authorities on statistics being available with the Central Pollution Control Board and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee with regard to the pollution level in Delhi from 2007 onwards.
Taking serious exception against those obstructing the sealing drive, the bench issued notice of contempt against Delhi MlA OP Sharma and Councilor Gunjan Gupta for obstructing the sealing drive in Shahadara Zone. The Court was acting on a report by the court-mandated Monitoring Committee in this regard. The bench asked the two public servants to explain why contempt of court action should not be initiated against them for interfering in the committee's work. Both of them were directed to remain present before the court on the next date of hearing.
Simultaneously, the bench directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure that adequate protection is provided to the members of the Monitoring Committee during the course of their duty. The Committee comprises of KJ Rao, former advisor to the Election Commissioner, Bhure lal, Chairman, EPCA and Major General (Retd) Som Jhingan.