In a scathing critique, the Delhi High Court mentioned that administration in the national capital has completely collapsed. Illegal constructions encroaching on public spaces and poor waste management only illustrate that point.
The unfortunate political leaders instead seem too busy “selling slogans” to jag the pulse of infrastructure problems besetting the city.
Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) about unauthorized constructions and encroachments, the court did not reserve its criticism for the MCD. The MCD was condemned for not following court orders and fueling illegal construction, which had a massive impact on urban planning and law and order.
The bench noted it is unperturbed by repeated directives to address these issues since no progress has been made. The court noted, granted, that constructions in sensitive areas pose a danger to lives and public spaces. The court mentioned that such negligence represents systemic faults in Delhi’s civic governance.
The court also condemned the inept handling of waste management. By observing the overflowing landfills and lack of garbage processing, the judges emphasized that these problems contribute to the pollution levels within the city.
Three landfills at Bhalswa, Okhla, and Ghazipur are renowned for their size and cause much discomfort to residents living close by and environmentalists alike.
Now, the High Court has ordered MCD and the Delhi government to develop an effective action plan for the slew of environmental crises facing the national capital. It has also called for regular progress reports to ensure accountability.
This critique was issued during the ongoing debate about the carving up of administrative responsibilities of the Delhi government versus the MCD, which has historically suffered from bureaucratic inefficiency and underfunding. The court noted with pointed concern that the political class is engaged more in populist rhetoric than in governance.
The High Court called for political leaders to set aside their differences and prioritize the city’s welfare. The bench asked them to stop indulging in wide-partisan blame games and shift towards more proactive management of the challenges ahead of urban practitioners.
The court directed civic agencies to intensify demolition campaigns against illegal constructions and make urban development relatively smooth. It recommended third-party audits, which would, therefore, identify the gap in waste management practices and implement the best international practices.
As Delhi continues to face challenges, the High Court has intervened to view the immediate necessity for governance reforms. True reform can be introduced only by the authorities taking consistent steps to address systemic failure and restore public confidence.
