Supreme Court Allows Delhi Govt's Construction Of 7 COVID Hospitals Subject To Compliance Of Air Quality Commission's Directions

Amidst the ongoing ban on construction in Delhi in wake of the pollution crisis, the Supreme Court of India on Friday permitted construction of 7 covid hospitals in Delhi subject to compliance of directions issued by Commission of Air Quality Management(CAQM).A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant has permitted the construction after perusing the Delhi Government's affidavit and hearing submissions made by Senior Advocate AM Singhvi appearing for the Delhi Government.The construction has beem allowed for 7 new hospitals at Shalimar Bagh, Kirari, Sultanpuri, Raghubir Nagar, Sarita Vihar, GTB Hospital and Chacha Nehru Hospital.Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Sinhgvi on Friday urged the Court to consider allowing construction at the hospitals which will have special blocks for COVID patients."Its anti-public interest to not have construction there", he submitted.Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta also agreed that the construction at these hospitals be allowed."So far as the issue of construction of 7 new Covid hospitals is concerned, we permit the same subject to compliance of CAQM directions in this regard", the bench ordered. Taking note of the air quality crisis in the national capital, the Supreme Court had on 24th November re-imposed the ban on construction activities in Delhi-NCR until further orders. The Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR had earlier decided to lift the ban with effect from November 22, taking note of the slight improvement in the air quality.However, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant has re-imposed the ban on the construction activities in the NCR subject to the following two conditions:-(i) Non-polluting activities relating to construction such as the plumbing work, interior decoration, electrical work and carpentry are allowed to be continued;(ii)The States shall use the funds which have been collected as labour cess for the welfare of construction workers to provide them subsistence for the period during which construction activities are prohibited and pay wages notified under the Minimum Wages Act for the respective categories of workers".The Court passed the order in the writ petition Aditya Dubey(Minor) and another versus Union of India, which is filed seeking urgent steps to improve the air quality of Delhi-NCR.Click here to read/download the order

Supreme Court Allows Delhi Govt's Construction Of 7 COVID Hospitals Subject To Compliance Of Air Quality Commission's Directions

Srishti Ojha

Tags