Order of the Supreme Court of India regarding utilization of 12.28 hectares of Delhi Ridge for the widening of National Highway from Dhaula Kuan, Delhi, 22/03/2018

Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of In Re: T. N. Godavarman Thirumulpad Vs Union of India & Others dated 22/03/2018. This is an application filed by the National Highway Authority of India seeking permission for utilization of an area of 12.28 hectares falling within the morphological ridge for improvement of T-Junction near Dhaula Kuan Metro Station including widening of National Highway from Dhaula Kuan upto end of Junction on NH-8 and improvement of T-Junction near Defence Area including widening of National Highway upto Defence area on NH-8.

CEC has recommended and accepted all the submissions made by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), subject to the following conditions:

(a) The NHAI shall deposit 5% of the project cost with the Ridge Management Board Fund and which amount shall be used for conservation and protection of Delhi Ridge under the close supervision of the Forest Department of Delhi Government.

(b) The 21.52 hectares of land in Yamuna Flood Plain allotted by DDA for compensatory afforestation shall be handed over, free from all encumbrances, to the Forest Department of Government of NCT of Delhi; and

(c) the cost of raising 21,500 plants including chainlink fencing of 21.52 hectares of land referred to above shall be deposited in advance with the Forest Department of NCT of Delhi by the NHAI.

Supreme Court accepts the Report and recommendations made by the CEC.