The Delhi High Court today sought response of the Centre, city government, police and various civic bodies here on a plea seeking directions to them to restore the residential nature of South Extension and adjoining areas.
The plea sought a stay on commercialisation and redevelopment of South Extension-II and Kidwai Nagar here saying "intelligent urbanisation" has not been followed by the authorities while undertaking the work.
Justice Manmohan issued notice to the ministeries of Urban Development and Environment and Forests, Delhi government, Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Fire Department, Delhi Police, Traffic Police and others and sought their replies by July 1, the next date of hearing.
Seeking the authorities' response, the court said, "We have to see how you (authorities) have planned the development and projects in the area."
While Justice Manmohan refused the stay the construction and other development work going on there, he said that all such activity would be subject to the final orders of the court.
The petition, filed by by senior advocate Aman Lekhi, who resides in the area, and Manali Singhal, has raised the issues of increase in congestion and illegal parking, air and sound pollution, lack of accessibility in case of emergencies like fire, impact on the green be, and others, saying these problems are caused due to "unplanned" commercialisation of the area.
The petition has also sought a stay on the ongoing construction of a metro station in South Extension.
It has also sought directions to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to disclose if and how it had granted permission for the redevelopment of Kidwai Nagar close to the heritage monument, Tomb of Darya Khan.
