The Delhi High Court recently heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a resident of Mehrauli, addressing the “annoyance” caused to local inhabitants due to escalating traffic and noise pollution resulting from the proliferation of restaurants and pubs in the area.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna hinted at directing the relevant authorities to examine the concerns raised by the petitioner, emphasizing the necessity to adhere to regulations concerning the playing of music. The bench asserted, “Decibel will have to be maintained. With respect to sound pollution, you have some merit.”
The counsel representing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) contended that these establishments were situated in a commercial area in accordance with regulations. In response, the court urged the civic body to contemplate the establishment of multi-level parking in the vicinity, considering the petitioner’s grievances. The court also remarked on the authorities’ liberal identification of areas as commercial zones, stating, “This is how they have planned the city. They are very liberal with how they mark commercial areas. Your city planning is so poor. How can you make it a commercial area?”
Lawyer Arun Panwar represented the Delhi government during the proceedings.
In his petition, Sharad Vashisht, as the general secretary of a resident welfare association in Mehrauli, voiced concerns about numerous bars, pubs, and restaurants around Qutub Minar, attracting substantial footfall, especially in the evenings, leading to congestion persisting into the early morning due to a lack of parking spaces.
Vashisht highlighted that, as a representative of Mehrauli residents, he had filed several complaints over the past three years to authorities such as Delhi Police, MCD, and the Archaeological Survey of India regarding traffic problems and noise pollution caused by these establishments. However, he lamented that no corrective action had been taken.
The petition underscored the impact of open rooftop venues with loud DJ music continuing late into the night, affecting the entire Mehrauli locality. The plea, presented by lawyer Saurabh Sharma, emphasized the urgent need for authorities to address the persistent issues faced by the residents.