NEW DELHI: The apex court has made an exception on its ban on construction activity for the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) at Pragati Maidan, where the trade fair draws huge crowds.Earlier this week during the hearing on air pollution matter, the apex court termed Delhi “worse than hell” in the backdrop of pollution in the city. At the end of the hearing, the Centre requested a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra to allow limited construction activity at the ITPO, to make the area ready for exhibition.
The Centre assured that no pollution shall be permitted to be caused by the activity, following which the top court permitted the request. This direction is in sharp contrast to the principled position taken by the apex court, where it ordered zero-tolerance to any activity contributing to air pollution.
The Centre told the apex court: “There is only some work of seven days left to enable holding of these events, such as housekeeping and cleaning the halls, preparation of access ways from Bhairon Road, strengthening and compacting at Hall No. 5, compaction of approach road for movement of cargo trucks and fire tenders, laying of temporary electrical services and water supply lines etc.”
The SC also asked Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit a report regarding lifting the restriction on other construction activities. “Let the report be submitted by the CPCB. Then we will take a call whether we have to relax the restrictions that have been imposed,” said the court.(With agency inputs)
Preparation for events
The Centre told the apex court: “There is only seven days of work left for events which includes preparation of access ways, compaction of approach road for movement of cargo trucks and laying of electrical services.