The Delhi High Court has given its approval to a redevelopment plan for Shri Kalkaji Mandir in South Delhi and has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to conduct a meeting to move the process forward.
A single bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh granted approval for the temple and its precincts while addressing a batch of pleas related to civic amenities and cleanliness in and around the temple complex.
The judge directed the temple administrator to forward the layout plan submitted by the architects to the Town Planning Department of the MCD. The court’s recent order stated, “The officials of the MCD shall hold a joint meeting with the architects and the 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 proposed redevelopment’s broad contours were presented to the court through plans, sketches, and a video, which the court duly approved. The court specified that a report on the matter should be submitted before January 12. It also clarified that the redevelopment plan would be forwarded to the Department of Delhi Fire Services at an appropriate stage.
Emphasizing that the redevelopment plan doesn’t infringe upon the rights vested in the land where the temple is situated, the court noted that it is implemented to enhance amenities and facilities for devotees, making the temple more accessible.
In 2021, Justice Singh appointed retired high court judge Justice J R Midha as the administrator of the temple. The court also ordered the removal of encroachments and unauthorized occupants, appointing Goonmeet Singh Chauhan, a renowned architect with experience in various public projects, to submit a redevelopment plan for the temple and its complex.
