The Delhi High Court here is all set to get a new block next month. The building, which is expected to be launched in June, will be the first project undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD) to include escalators and green engineering in its design.
In addition to underground parking on two levels, which can accommodate over 40 vehicles to tide over the space crunch that is characteristic of Lutyens’ Delhi, the entire four-floor campus of the Delhi High Court’s C-Wing on Sher Shah Suri Marg is replete with energy conservation features. This, besides a green wall composed of wall plants for natural temperature regulation, central air conditioning and high-speed internet on the 14,814 square kilometre area.
Delayed construction
“Construction on the wing began in December 2013 and was to be completed by April 2015. It got delayed due to issues related to land and environmental clearances. Now, it is nearly complete and expected to be thrown open sometime in June,” said a government official, adding that the sanctioned cost of the project was around ₹80 crore.
“It will be the first building constructed by the government to incorporate escalators in its design for the convenience of the public, besides additional accessibility through public transport, especially the Delhi Metro,” the official added.
Accessible to the public from both the Pragati Maidan and Kamla Market metro stations, the project was executed under the direct supervision of a dedicated team composed of PWD officials. The team was tasked with not just the construction, but also taking suggestions from court officials and the public on the design.
Intelligent fire alarms
The new wing boasts a modern, intelligent fire alarm and fire-fighting system and soil and water conservation measures on campus, in addition to a video wall system and video conferencing in all court rooms. The PWD has also made it a point to ensure that the view from each of its floors worthwhile.
“An attempt has been made to underline the openness that public spaces can also incorporate in their design, as opposed to the somewhat suffocated nature of construction of government buildings. Even the view from the judges’ chambers will be that of the greenery of Lutyens’ Delhi on one hand and modernity symbolised by the Delhi Metro track on the other,” the official added.
