+
Delhi HC Clears Signature View Apartments Demolition
Real Estate

Delhi HC Clears Signature View Apartments Demolition

The Delhi High Court has upheld the decision of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to declare Signature View Apartments ""dangerous and not fit for habitation,"" clearing the path for the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to demolish the unsafe structures. The court granted residents three months to vacate the premises while castigating DDA for its ""unpardonable delinquency and gross negligence"" that endangered lives.

Justice Mini Pushkarna, citing expert reports, stated that the pillars of the buildings had developed wide cracks, and steel bars were corroded, rendering the structures incapable of supporting their load. Despite repeated repair efforts, the apartments remained structurally unsafe. ""The persistent threat to life and well-being of the residents has been irrefutably highlighted,"" Justice Pushkarna remarked in the 145-page judgment.

The court underscored that incidents of collapsing ceilings and falling plaster were frequent, directly infringing on residents' constitutional rights to life and dignity under Article 21. It condemned the DDA's failure to address structural defects adequately, labeling the situation a stark example of official apathy.

While the court allowed the DDA to proceed with reconstruction post-demolition, it denied the agency permission to build 168 additional flats. Justice Pushkarna emphasized that the residents' rights over common areas, including green spaces, community zones, and natural light, must be preserved. The court noted that altering the original layout would compromise the residents' living conditions and property rights.

This case, termed ""one of its kind"" by the court, revealed shocking lapses in DDA's oversight, highlighting the critical need for accountability in urban housing projects.

The Delhi High Court has upheld the decision of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to declare Signature View Apartments dangerous and not fit for habitation, clearing the path for the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to demolish the unsafe structures. The court granted residents three months to vacate the premises while castigating DDA for its unpardonable delinquency and gross negligence that endangered lives.Justice Mini Pushkarna, citing expert reports, stated that the pillars of the buildings had developed wide cracks, and steel bars were corroded, rendering the structures incapable of supporting their load. Despite repeated repair efforts, the apartments remained structurally unsafe. The persistent threat to life and well-being of the residents has been irrefutably highlighted, Justice Pushkarna remarked in the 145-page judgment.The court underscored that incidents of collapsing ceilings and falling plaster were frequent, directly infringing on residents' constitutional rights to life and dignity under Article 21. It condemned the DDA's failure to address structural defects adequately, labeling the situation a stark example of official apathy.While the court allowed the DDA to proceed with reconstruction post-demolition, it denied the agency permission to build 168 additional flats. Justice Pushkarna emphasized that the residents' rights over common areas, including green spaces, community zones, and natural light, must be preserved. The court noted that altering the original layout would compromise the residents' living conditions and property rights.This case, termed one of its kind by the court, revealed shocking lapses in DDA's oversight, highlighting the critical need for accountability in urban housing projects.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

97 Per Cent Of Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre Road Nears Completion

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of public works Prestone Tynsong said in Shillong on 26 August that 97 per cent physical progress had been achieved on the ongoing Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre road being constructed under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR). He noted the project was sanctioned in 2017 and that the stipulated time for completion had been 24 months from issue of the final work order. The deputy chief minister informed the assembly that the government had decided to include the remaining work under a World Bank project. In reply to a query from Rongjeng MLA Jim M Sangm..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

First TBM Starts Digging Five Point Three Kilometre Tunnel Under SGNP

The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) Phase three (B) project has reached a key milestone as the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) began excavation of the first of two tunnels beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The machine, named Tulsi, started cutting a five point three kilometre bore that will link Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon East with Amar Nagar in Mulund West. Officials issued a statement noting the commencement of tunnelling work under the protected green belt. The twin tunnels are being constructed using mechanised tunnelling methods that aim to limit surface di..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

UP Approves Two Expressways And Rs 240 bn Infrastructure Push

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a series of infrastructure and industrial investment proposals totalling Rs 240 billion (Rs 240 bn), including two major expressway projects, a manufacturing and logistics cluster in Sultanpur and incentives for 11 industrial projects across the state. The decisions, taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, underline the state government’s focus on expanding road connectivity around emerging industrial hubs while attracting manufacturing investment to districts beyond major urban centres. The approvals cover both greenfield expressway c..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code