Delhi High Court Issues Directions For Laying New Sewer Line Across AIIMS To Prevent Water-Logging In Green Park Extension, Surrounding Areas

The Delhi High Court has issued directions for laying down a new sewer line across AIIMS premises to control the waterlogging in Green Park Extension and surrounding areas in the national capital.

A division bench comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora observed that the new sewer line is required to be laid across AIIMS Residential complex, considering the required extent of land and the overarching public interest involved in the matter.

The Bench was dealing with a plea filed by one Shailendra Bhatnagar relating to the water logging problem in Green Park Extension and surrounding areas.

AIIMS had opposed the proposal of laying of new sewer line on the ground that the line was proposed to be laid on land owned by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) which was earlier not a party to the plea.

It had also raised an objection to the proposed laying of a sewer line across its premises, contending that the water logging in the concerned area was not attributable to any inadequacy in the existing sewer infrastructure. It was submitted that the primary cause of water logging in the concerned areas was ineffective functioning of the rainwater drainage system.

The Court had then impleaded NDMC and directed it to hold a meeting to ascertain the feasibility of providing NDMC land within the AIIMS premises for laying down the sewer line.

On June 18, the Bench heard the submissions made on behalf of the NDMC, DJB, AIIMS and the Petitioner.

The Court was informed that during the recent rains in the national capital, there has been no water logging in the Green Park Extension area owing to consistent and persistent cleaning of the sewer lines by the DJB. Further, the DJB officials also confirmed that the sewer line, which was to be laid across AIIMS, would not be more than 200 meters long and would only require about 130 meters of land within the AIIMS premises.

“In view of the above circumstances, the Court does not doubt the necessity of laying sewer line across the AIIMS premises to prevent water logging in the concerned areas,” the Court said.

It directed that the present monsoon season, the DJB and MCD shall ensure the complete de-silting and cleaning of both the sewer line and the storm water drain on a regular basis so as to prevent any water logging in the areas in question.

The Bench further directed that a meeting be held by the Chief Engineer, DJB with AIIMS, MCD, NDMC, PWD and any responsible officials from Delhi Government's Forest Department so that, if any approval is required for uprooting and replantation of trees that fall in the path of the sewerline, the same can also be obtained.

“The Chief Engineer, DJB and Commissioner, MCD shall then put up a report on the plan for laying of the sewer line and storm water drain, in consultation with the above authorities and specifically to the satisfaction of AIIMS (Nodal Officer) i.e., Mr. Deepak Bhutale, Superintendent Engineer, AIIMS, New Delhi,” the Court said.

It added that the report shall also include the proposal for the designing of the sewer line, the manner in which it would be connected from Green Park Extension to the Aurobindo Marg along the AIIMS premises.

“The Court emphasises upon the fact that the above report shall be prepared in close coordination with the AIIMS so that least disturbance is caused to the residents within the AIIMS residential campus during the laying of the sewer line,” the Court said.

The matter will now be heard on July 28.

Counsel for Petitioner: Petitioner in Person

Counsel for Respondents: Ms. Rajbala, Adv. for Mr. Tushar Sannu, ASC for NDMC; Ms. Sangeeta Bharti, Standing Counsel for DJB

Title: SHAILENDRA BHATNAGAR v. GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS

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