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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court has recently approved a redevelopment plan for Shri Kalkaji Mandir in South Delhi and asked the MCD to hold a meeting to take the process forward.

The court, dealing with a batch of pleas on civic amenities and cleanliness in and around the temple complex, directed that the layout plan submitted by the architects be forwarded by the temple administrator to the Town Planning Department of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh noted, “..the final redevelopment plan of the Shri. Kalkaji Mandir and its precincts are concerned, Mr. Chauhan, architect, and Ms. Kaushik, architect, on behalf of the baaridars, have jointly made presentations”.

While approving the plan, the court stated that the contour plans shall now be prepared, and the team to oversee the development of Mandir shall also be finalised by the administrator in consultation with the two architects.

Justice Singh clarified, “While implementing the redevelopment plan, it shall be ensured that any trees that are already in the precincts would not be disturbed.”

The court sought a report in the matter before January 12, while clarifying that the redevelopment plan shall also be forwarded to the Department of Delhi Fire Services at an appropriate stage.

The court said the redevelopment plan does not in any manner take away the rights vested in the land on which the temple is situated, as it was being implemented merely to provide amenities and facilities to the devotees and make it more accessible to them.

“The officials of the MCD shall hold a joint meeting with the architects and the ld. Administrator so that the first portion of the landscaping can be commenced and the process of getting approvals for the redevelopment of the Shri Kalkaji Mandir can commence. The MCD shall also inform the architect if any approval is required from the Ridge Management Board, Delhi," the court directed.

In 2021, Justice Singh appointed retired high court judge Justice J. R. Midha as the administrator of the temple. It had also directed the removal of encroachments and unauthorised occupants and shopkeepers, who did not have any valid legal rights to occupy the space, and appointed Goonmeet Singh Chauhan, a renowned architect who has undertaken various projects of public importance, to submit a redevelopment plan for the temple and the complex where it is located.

Case Title: Neeta Bhardwaj & Ors. v. Kamlesh Sharma (a batch of connected matters)