Noting the "deplorable" traffic conditions in Chandni Chowk due to "encroachments" on the road by BSES transformers, police posts and a MTNL godown, the Delhi High Court today asked the discom and the state-run telecom company why they can't remove their structures by June 15.
A special bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and S Muralidhar issued notices to BSES and MTNL asking them why they can't expedite removal of their transformers and godown, respectively, by June 15 and listed the matter for further hearing on April 30.
The order was passed by the bench after perusing a status report filed by Delhi government stating that BSES has said it can shift its seven transformers only by December this year and MTNL has said it will move its godown by September 30.
The court also asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to conclude its work of metalling the roads by June 15 instead of July 31 so that the entire exercise can be completed before the onset of monsoon in the national capital.
With respect to encroachment of the roads by temples, the government in its report has said that the matter has been handed over to a religious committee set up by it.
The court, thereafter, directed the committee to indicate its decision with respect to all the temple sites within six weeks.
The court, meanwhile, directed the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to file a report indicating the steps taken by it regarding the proposal to have a multi-level parking facility at Gandhi Maidan in Chandni Chowk.
The court has been monitoring the issue of redevelopment of the walled city through a petition filed by NGO Manushi Sangathan in 2007.
