SC seeks Centre's response on the relocation on relocation of Central Secretariat Library

The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Centre’s response on the proposed relocation of the 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library in Delhi, which houses over 8.5 lakh books, amid reports that no space has been reserved for it in the new Central Vista Plan.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva issued notice to the Centre, asking it to file an affidavit which would give the full details of the area earmarked for the library along with the actual layout plan.

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Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appeared for the Centre.

The apex court was hearing a suo moto case titled 'In Re: 135-year-old library, 8.5 lakh books and no room in the new Central Vista plan'.

The development has come amid recent media reports highlighting that the library, currently spread over four floors in Shastri Bhawan since 1969, faced uncertainty as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had allotted only two rooms in the Kartavya Bhawan-2 complex.

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The Union housing ministry expounded that the Central Vista redevelopment plan had included space for the library.

(With inputs from PTI)