Delhi High Court Mandates Overhaul of Administrative & Physical Infrastructure Amid Ongoing Crises
(Judicial Quest News Network)
New Delhi 2nd August 2024
On Friday, the Delhi High Court issued a landmark directive aimed at revamping the administrative and physical infrastructure of the national capital, Delhi. The court’s order comes in response to persistent and escalating crises that have plagued the city, underscoring the failure of multiple authorities to address these issues effectively.
The directive, issued by the Division Bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, comes amidst growing concerns over the inadequacy of the city’s infrastructure and administrative mechanisms. The court observed that various authorities have been evading responsibility and shifting blame rather than tackling the root causes of the problems.
In a significant move, the court established an executive committee to address these challenges. This committee will be chaired by the Delhi Chief Secretary and will include key figures such as the Delhi Police Commissioner, the Vice-Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and representatives from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review and delivering a detailed report to the court within eight weeks.
The court’s decision highlights the urgent need for a robust and modernized infrastructure framework in Delhi, which faces a myriad of issues, from frequent droughts to inadequate facilities. The city’s infrastructure, initially established nearly 75 years ago, has proven insufficient to meet contemporary demands, especially with a population exceeding 30 million and increasing migration trends.
The court also criticized the Delhi government for its inactivity, particularly noting that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has not convened a cabinet meeting since his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. This criticism reflects broader concerns about the effectiveness of the current administration in addressing the city’s pressing issues.
The High Court’s intervention was prompted by a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the organization Kutumb, which sought a high-level investigation into the tragic deaths of three civil services aspirants in the basement of an examination centre in Rajendra Nagar. In addition to mandating the infrastructure review, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the Delhi Police’s handling of the incident and has transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further scrutiny.
This bold move by the Delhi High Court aims to bring about necessary reforms and ensure that the city’s infrastructure and administrative systems are equipped to handle its growing demands and challenges.
