On Friday, the Delhi High Court criticized authorities for failing to upgrade the city’s infrastructure to meet the needs of its growing population, asserting that civic administration had collapsed while politicians were preoccupied with “selling slogans.”
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora, noted that political leaders were neither generating revenue nor investing in development but were instead allocating funds for freebies, which do little to address the city’s infrastructure issues.
The court highlighted the multiple crises Delhi faced this year, including droughts, floods, and hazardous pollution levels. “First, we had a drought, and people protested about the lack of water. Then came flooding, which caused loss of lives. Now we are grappling with severe pollution and alarming AQI levels,” the bench remarked, emphasizing the urgent need for efficient city management.
Expressing frustration, the court criticized the political establishment for ignoring affected citizens and focusing only on those contributing to the problems. It questioned whether Delhi could sustain its current population of 3.3 crore people without substantial investment in infrastructure.
“We cannot grow further without allocating significant funds to infrastructure development,” the court lamented, underscoring that freebie-driven policies do not address the city’s pressing needs.
The court made these observations while hearing a plea filed by residents of the JJ cluster Madrasi Camp in Jangpura, who are contesting eviction notices and seeking rehabilitation. The residents have been asked to vacate the area, located near the Old Barapullah Bridge, to facilitate the construction of a new flyover.
While the residents claimed they have lived in the area for over 50 years and demanded alternative housing, the court advised them to vacate the site, stating that their current settlement was not sustainable or scientifically planned.
The bench also expressed displeasure over the inefficiency of the administration, which it said was operating in silos and shirking its responsibilities, leaving the judiciary to handle issues such as drains and unauthorized constructions.
It warned that officials who fail to meet deadlines would face consequences under Section 56 of the Central Civil Services Pension Rules, 1972, which allows for premature retirement.
The court reprimanded the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) for breaching a November 20 deadline to complete a survey identifying eligible residents for rehabilitation. It stressed that non-compliance with timelines would not be tolerated and warned against further delays in the case.
The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on November 29. Please stay connected with Digi Hind News for latest update on this matter.