Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009
The New Delhi Municipal Council has issued a `stop work' notice to DMRC for the ongoing construction of the underground parking lot
for Delhi High Court next to National Stadium. As reported by TOI, the notice was issued after NDMC made it clear that no work on any site can take place without the necessary sanctions. In this case, HC took no clearances from the heritage conservation committee or Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC).
A 16th century tomb from Sher Shah's period, which was recently notified by Delhi government under NDMC heritage list, is located in the complex where the parking lot is proposed to come up. Conservationists expressed concern that massive digging and construction work near the monument could damage its foundation. NDMC told DMRC that all construction on the premises had to stop as the building permit had not been obtained. Action could, otherwise, be initiated under prevailing laws.
"We have received the letter and are looking into it,'' said a DMRC spokesperson.
Experts said the onus of getting necessary clearances for the work lay with the land allottee Delhi High Court, but approvals were neither sought nor given. The high court had made DMRC the executing agency for the project and authorised them to submit all documents on it's behalf.
"The project never came to DUAC for approval,'' said K T Ravindran, chairman of DUAC. Added AGK Menon, member of the heritage conservation committee: "HC is required to take permission from the heritage conservation committee before any construction work and it will have to apply. We will ask for a conservation report. We need to know how sensitive the client is about preserving the tomb as we will not allow anyone to meddle with it.''
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