The Delhi High Court on Friday formed a committee led by the Chief Secretary of GNCTD, with members including the Vice Chairman of the DDA, the MCD Chairman, and the Commissioner of Police. This committee is tasked with re-evaluating Delhi’s administrative, financial, and physical infrastructure and must file a report within eight weeks.
The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, made several strong observations during the hearing. They pointed out that obtaining approval for new projects in GNCTD is challenging due to the absence of cabinet meetings in recent months and uncertainty about when the next meeting will occur.
The High Court emphasized the need for a change in the mindset of Delhi’s administrators, particularly the perception that everything can be provided for free. It also observed that recent tragedies have shown that civic agencies are not thoroughly following court directions. The court criticized the administrative situation, highlighting that multiple authorities are shifting responsibility and blaming one another instead of effectively addressing issues.
The High Court concluded that Delhi’s civic agencies lack the necessary funds for major infrastructure projects. It noted that much of Delhi’s physical infrastructure, such as drains, is outdated, having been laid nearly 75 years ago, and is both inadequate and poorly maintained.
On April 8, the court directed that no single agency should be solely responsible for controlling stormwater drains to ensure more efficient problem resolution. Additionally, it ordered a third-party audit to review the situation.
The High Court noted that with Delhi’s population exceeding 3 crores, the city requires a more robust financial and administrative infrastructure. It observed that various subsidy schemes have contributed to increased migration and population growth, exacerbating the financial challenges faced by the MCD.
The court also directed the MCD Commissioner to ensure that drains are functional and to systematically increase their capacity if needed. It ordered the immediate removal of encroachments and illegal constructions, including any on stormwater drains.
Expressing disappointment with the ongoing chaos, the court directed the Delhi government counsel to provide details on the date of the last Cabinet meeting and the schedule for the next one.
The Delhi High Court also transferred the investigation case concerning the deaths of three UPSC aspirants in Old Rajinder Nagar to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing the seriousness of the incidents and potential involvement of corruption by public servants. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) was directed to nominate a senior officer to oversee the CBI probe into the deaths of the Civil Services aspirants.
Meanwhile, protests outside the coaching institutes in Delhi’s Rajinder Nagar continued for the sixth day on Friday after three UPSC aspirants lost their lives in a flooding incident at an IAS coaching centre.
The Delhi High Court criticized the Delhi Police for not taking the initiative to summon MCD officials for questioning. It pointed out that the police had failed to investigate the source of the water entering the basement and had instead arrested a driver, implying a lack of thoroughness in their approach.
The court highlighted that water issues are pervasive and affect everyone, including private residences. It noted that even the Yamuna River is encroached upon, reflecting a broader problem in Delhi where there is a prevailing mindset that the river will continue to flow despite encroachments. The court warned that water does not discriminate and can affect anyone, regardless of address. It also stated that there is a serious issue of criminal neglect and cautioned that if the current situation persists, such tragedies may recur every monsoon.