New Delhi, 3 January: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to build a road in the Aravalli Ridge area. The DDA filed a petition requesting approval to cut or relocate 473 trees and to remove and replant 2,519 smaller plants elsewhere.
The proposed road aims to improve access to the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (CAPFIMS), a hospital dedicated to the central armed police forces.
According to the DDA, the construction work will affect 0.79 hectares of the morphological ridge area, while seeking permission to use a total of 2.97 hectares of forest land. The authority stated that earlier, 3.6 hectares of forest land were considered necessary for the project, but this requirement has now been reduced to minimise environmental impact.
The DDA further informed that, as part of environmental compensation, new trees will be planted on 3.68 hectares of land in the Dhulsiras area of Dwarka. The authority claims the project has been designed to affect the least possible forest area while maintaining the balance of green cover.
Earlier, on 29 December, the Supreme Court had stayed its previous orders related to the definition of the Aravalli hills. The court had noted that this is a sensitive issue requiring greater clarity due to differing interpretations of the expert committee’s report and the court’s observations.
The matter was heard by a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant, along with Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih. The bench issued notices in the suo motu petition titled ‘Definition of Aravalli Hills and Related Issues’ and scheduled the next hearing for 21 January.
The court clarified that until a new high-level expert committee is formed, the recommendations of the previous committee and the court’s earlier directions will not be applicable. The court emphasised the need for a comprehensive review of scientific, environmental, and geological aspects before any final decision is made.
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VKU/VC
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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