NDMC to file affidavit on Jama Masjid redevelopment: High Court

NEW DELHI: North Delhi Municipal Corporation was today directed to submit an affidavit within two weeks on steps taken for redevelopment of Jama Masjid area here after the civic body informed the High Court that it has floated the tender in this regard.

"The NDMC shall file affidavit stating steps taken for the redevelopment of Jama Masjid," a bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul said and posted the matter for next hearing on December 10.

During the hearing, several photographs were produced by the petitioners -- various associations representing shop owners and vendors of the area-- showing unauthorised construction in and around the market area of Dargah Sheikh Kalimullah.

The counsel for NDMC informed the court that redevelopment work has been entrusted from July.

Earlier, the high court had issued notice to Lieutenant Governor, Delhi government, NDMC and Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation on the petition filed on the behalf of various owners and vendors, who were allegedly displaced to implement the redevelopment plan.

The petitioners alleged inaction on part of authorities in putting into effect the redevelopment plan despite having obtained all legal permissions from the concerned agencies as well as sanction of Rs 168 crore as a tentative cost of the project.

The petitioners, represented by advocate Mobin Akhtar, had alleged that delay in implementing the plan resulted in encroachment by unauthorised occupants and had sought an order directing the authorities to place in their original locations the shop owners, who were removed in the name of redevelopment plan.