New Delhi:The Centre on Tuesday vehemently defended the Central Vista project before the Supreme Court stating that it "in fact saves up to Rs 1,000 crore annual rent expenditure".
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted before a bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, "The project saves money, not wastes it." Mehta was appearing for the Urban Development Ministry, Delhi Development Authority and Central Public Works Department.
The Centre, in an affidavit, had informed the top court that signs of distress have begun to appear on the nearly 100-year-old Parliament building, which also faces many safety issues. Therefore, it is necessary to construct a modern building for the bicameral House under the Central Vista project.
The Centre also cited the shortfall of about 0.38 million square metres in office space and as a consequence, around Rs 1,000 crore is spent every year as office rent. The Centre has insisted that with a common secretariat for 51 ministries, such expenses can be avoided.
The top court has so far, thrice, refused to stay the project but made it clear that the validity of step taken will be subject to the outcome of the challenge to the project.
Mehta contended before the bench that the project fulfils contemporary needs, and insisted that the heritage buildings will be conserved, not demolished. Mehta argued: "The present Parliament building will be there as it is. The ceremonies will be held in the central hall."
Mehta submitted that for deciding that a new Parliament is needed, there is no need for a separate study. He added that the policy decision is that all central ministries will have to be at one place and also there is linkage through metro stations which will minimise the use of two and four-wheelers. "We have to run around the city to go to different ministries increasing traffic and pollution," Mehta added.