‘STF to examine buildings’ safety’

To also oversee enforcement of laws to deal with encroachments in the Capital

The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the special task force (STF), which would be set up to oversee the enforcement of laws to deal with unauthorised constructions and encroachments in Delhi, would also look into the safety aspects of buildings which have been built legally.

The government told a Bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta that the STF would examine the safety aspects, like fire fighting, in buildings like schools, hospitals, theatres and restaurants to see whether they complied with the norms.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) A.N.S. Nadkarni, appearing for the Centre, told the Bench that they had added one representative from the office of Delhi’s Lieutenant-Governor in the task force, which would be chaired by the vice-chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

“Even if there is a legal building, the task force will look into the safety aspects like fire and others,” Mr. Nadkarni told the Bench.

When the apex court asked Mr. Nadkarni as to what had been done with regard to the issue of depletion of groundwater in Delhi, the latter said that they were taking steps in this regard.

Further hearing

The Bench, while listing the matter for further hearing on April 24, asked the member secretary of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) to remain present before it on the next date to assist it.

The ASG added that proper security arrangements would be put in place for the court-appointed monitoring committee so that they would carry out sealing as per court’s mandate.

He also said that three senior officers of Delhi Police were asked to coordinate with the committee and chalk out further modalities in this regard and handed over to the court a revised note regarding the ongoing sealing drive.

The Bench said it would hear this issue on April 24.

Course of action

The ASG had said that the task force would identify encroachments on government land, suggest the course of action to the Centre with regard to unauthorised colonies in Delhi and oversee effective and proper enforcement of applicable laws by local bodies about violation and unauthorised constructions.