Not Willing To Take Responsibility: Delhi High Court Summons Civic Agencies Officials Over Delay In Redevelopment Of Industrial Areas

The Delhi High Court has ordered personal appearance of the officials of the civic agencies in Delhi, remarking that they are not willing to take responsibility of the redevelopment of industrial areas in the national capital.

The Court was considering Petitions initiated suo motu regarding lethargy in construction/development of sewage lines, storm water drains, connections to STPs and CETPs.

The Division Bench of Justice Pratibha M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora observed, "It is thus clear that basic facilities of sewage lines and storm water drains are non-existent. Connecting sewage lines to STPs and CETPs would in fact be the next step. Industries are already functioning in these areas and must be resulting in contamination of ground water and whatever water is flowing into the river without treatment. This is an extremely appalling situation.....Under these circumstances, the Court has no option but to direct the following officials to remain present in Court on the next date of hearing..."

The Petitioners were represented by Advocate Manik Gupta, while the Respondents were represented by Central Government Standing Counsel Ripudaman Bhardwaj.

The Court took into account the status report filed by the DJB as per which it appeared that re-development of 27 industrial areas was handed over to the DSIIDC.

On submission of Counsel for the DSIIDC that three consultant architect agencies have been engaged to conduct surveys in these areas and prepare re-development plans for the same, the Court pointed out that the work of these consultant architect agencies is primarily to only conduct a survey and submit a report to the MCD as per the DSIIDC and thus, though the Cabinet decision was taken way back in the year 2023, till date, only survey of 17 areas is stated to have been completed, though the reports regarding the same are not submitted to MCD.

".....between DSIIDC, DJB, MCD and the Ministry of Industries, there is no clarity as to which agency is responsible for re-development of these 27 areas where several industries are already functional. Mr. Mahapatra, ld. Counsel appearing for the DPCC, has also been queried in order to ascertain whether the DPCC is monitoring and overseeing the functioning of industries situated in the said areas. However, there is no clarity on this aspect as well....", the Court observed.

The matter has been adjourned to November 22, 2025, for the next hearing.

Cause Title: Court on its Own Motion v. Union of India & Ors.

Appearances:

Petitioners- Advocate Manik Gupta, Advocate Mohammad Tanvir Ali

Respondents- Central Government Standing Counsel Ripudaman Bhardwaj, Advocate Kushagra Kumar, Advocate Amit Kumar Rana, Standing Counsel Beenashaw Soni, Advocate Mansi Jain, Advocate S D Tomar, Senior Standing Counsel Sangeeta Bharti, Advocate Malvi Balyan, Central Government Standing Counsel Pratima N Lakra, Advocate Chandan Prajapati, Advocate Shivansh Bansal, Advocate Kanchan, Standing Counsel Puja S Kalra, Advocate Virendra singh, Central Government Standing Counsel Monika Arora, Advocate Subhrdeep Saha, Advocate Anamika Thakur, Advocate Prabhat Kumar, Advocate Abhinav Verma and others

Click here to read/ download Order