Supreme Court: Plea Dismissed To Halt DMRC Phase-IV Metro Work Over Environmental Concerns

The Supreme Court in the case In re: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) observed and has refused to stay the construction work on phase-IV of Delhi Metro, wherein it is stated that any kind of interference at this stage would also result in a huge escalation of its cost, wherein causing a loss to the public exchequer.
The bench comprising of Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Vikram Nath in the case observed and has stated that no doubt that the concern for the environment raised is being important aspect. Thus, the development works like the metro rail, which will cater to millions of people and it will also reduce the carbon emissions, as much as the number of vehicles on the road would be reduced and the court cannot ignore the same.
In the present case, the court was hearing the writ plea filed wherein the concerns were raised about the adverse impact on the environment caused by the Metro Phase IV expansion project of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, DMRC.
It has also been submitted by the counsel appearing for the petitioner Rajiv Dutta submitted before the court that the DMRC, while planning Phase IV, had acted negligently. Further, it was also argued before the court that there being no policy in place with regards to whether Phase IV should be underground or above ground.
It has also been submitted before the court that the various areas of land in the Morphological Ridge have been diverted for the purpose of non-forest.
Further, Tarun Johri submitted before the court that the planning of various phases cannot be static; instead, the same is to be dynamic.
The counsel appearing before the court also pointed out that the project is in an advanced stage.
The court in the case asked DMRC to be careful in future and also to take note of the concern expressed by the CAG, while further phases are planned.