Consider the impact on the environment before changing the Master Plan: Delhi High Court to DDA

In a Pro-Environment judgment, the bench of Delhi High court comprising of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar has stated that the policymakers should see the impact on the environment before considering any change in the city's master-plan. The court stated that the flora and fauna of the city have been affected to a large extent and many species of birds have disappeared. The High Court was dealing with PIL wherein directions were sought regarding the menace caused by the rising number of monkeys and dogs in the National Capital. The Court asked the Delhi Development Authority whether the Environment Impact Assessment was done before proposing to change the Master Plan of 2021. The court stated that “ When changing the Master Plan to permit commercial establishments to run from residential areas, you should look at the burden it would put on water, sewage, and electricity, the air pollution caused due to increase in vehicular numbers as well as the & lsquo light pollution' caused by neon signs” . The Court also warned that long exposures to neon lights would be very harmful and could lead to psychological problems, even if curtains were drawn at night. It must be noted that the traders had shut down their shops on 2nd February in protest against sealing of commercial establishments running from residential areas or premises. The Delhi Development Authority had proposed to amend the Master Plan thereafter. The Court stated that you can get the Master Plan of the city changed by sitting on the dharna. The court further came down hard on the DDA and said that you are planning to change the master plan not because it is the need, but because some 100 people sit on the dharna. It is clear that the court's preliminary concern is the “ effect on the environment” before any decision related to urbanization is taken.