The Delhi High Court criticized the situation in Chandni Chowk, labeling it as shocking due to rampant illegal activities and negligence by authorities. The court demanded accountability from the Municipal Corporation, Public Works Department, and Delhi Police. It highlighted issues such as encroachment, infrastructure damage, drug addiction, and traffic chaos, urging immediate corrective actions for urban governance and safety.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court, in a scathing observation on Friday, called the current situation in Chandni Chowk a “shocking state of affairs”, highlighting rampant illegal activities, lack of maintenance, and negligence by authorities. This strong stance came during a hearing on the deteriorated state of the Chandni Chowk Redevelopment Project.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, reviewed photographic evidence of the area and expressed alarm.
“People are doing gambling there. It seems they are drug addicts there. What are police doing, are they aware of the ground reality? How can people stay there (in public spaces)?”
questioned the court.
Neglect and Corruption Blamed
The court criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Public Works Department (PWD), and Delhi Police for their lack of action.
“Your (PWD) officers are not doing their job, and there is a lot of ‘hafta’ collection going on there. Police officials don’t know anything; it seems the police have become helpless. This gives a bad name to the police,”
remarked the bench.
Senior advocate Sanjeev Ralli, representing Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, noted a complete failure on the part of the authorities.
“Till the court monitored the situation, there was no problem, but the day the petition was closed, it started deteriorating,”
he said.
The petition revealed that over Rs 140 crore of public funds spent on redevelopment was being wasted due to poor maintenance, illegal activities, and structural damage. The plea urged immediate corrective actions to prevent further losses and ensure the safety and usability of the area.
Court Demands Accountability
In a bid to address the crisis, the court directed the MCD, PWD, Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation Limited (SRDC), Delhi Police, and Traffic Police to file detailed status reports within two weeks. Additionally, it instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police and a senior PWD officer to appear in court on the next hearing, scheduled for December 13.
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The bench emphasized that the deficiencies must be rectified promptly and in compliance with the law. It noted that authorities appeared to shift responsibility among themselves, leading to inaction. “Beat officials are regularly on the spot, but only for their weekly collection,” the court remarked grimly.
Key Issues Identified in Chandni Chowk
The court listed several deficiencies:
- Encroachment and illegal vending: Unregulated vending activities in no-hawking zones.
- Infrastructure damage: Neglect and lack of maintenance are leading to a breakdown of public facilities.
- Drug addiction and homelessness: Public spaces have become unsafe due to vagabonds, drug addicts, and the homeless.
- Traffic chaos: Thousands of unregulated rickshaws are adding to congestion.
- Stray cattle: Streets are overrun by stray animals, further complicating pedestrian and vehicular movement.
Call for Action
The court’s remarks resonate as a call to restore order in Chandni Chowk. Its observation that
“PWD has to make some arrangements… homeless people are staying here on roads”
underscores the pressing need for comprehensive solutions to urban challenges.
This situation highlights not only the failure of urban governance but also the urgent need for accountability and timely action to preserve one of Delhi’s historic and economic hubs. Authorities must act swiftly to honor the spirit of Chandni Chowk’s redevelopment and ensure its safe, hygienic, and lawful functioning.
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