Delhi High Court: A Division Bench of D.N. Patel, CJ and Prateek Jalan, J., while addressing a matter in regard to the frequent earthquakes/ seismic activity in Delhi, stated that,
“What is in the interest of public, is the execution of directions and not high-sounding words of notifications”
Bench noted that certain notifications and action plans have been initiated by respondents including Government of NCT of Delhi and other municipal Corporation/Council with regard to seismic activity in Delhi.
However, on enquiring about the same, whether the said notifications or action plans have yet been implemented in Delhi, no positive response came by the counsel for the Government of NCT of Delhi or by municipal Corporations.
Thus, in view of the above Court stated that,
“…drafting of notifications and action plans has to be followed up with their timely implementation/execution.”
Further having regard to the respondents submission that Delhi is not at present in a state of readiness in terms of seismic structural stability of buildings, by the next date of hearing, Court expects for the information to be furnished regarding at least 25 buildings in respect of which implementation of action plan has commenced as pointed out by the Government of NCT of Delhi.
As a parting remark, Court stated that at this stage it is not criticising but if no execution of the directions takes place, then respondents must be ready to face the criticism of the Court and action against the officers concerned will be taken.
Matter has been adjourned to 8th July, 2020. [Arpit Bhargava v. North Delhi Municipal Corporation, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 655 , decided on 18-06-2020]
