Delhi HC Issues Notice On Plea For Tree Transplantation In Supreme Court Expansion Project

The Delhi High Court has addressed an Intervention Application seeking an approval for the transplantation of 26 trees located within the Supreme Court premises.

This initiative constitutes a critical aspect of the Supreme Court’s expansion project, which aims to accommodate additional courtrooms, notably a constitutional court, alongside enhanced chambers for judges and state-of-the-art facilities for legal professionals and litigants.

Justice Jasmeet Singh presided over the matter, directing responses from the respondents in the case, Bhavreen Kandhari vs. C.D. Singh & Ors., with the next hearing scheduled for January 31, 2025.

Advocate Sudhir Mishra, representing the IA, provided detailed insights into the project’s environmental considerations. Initial planning revealed that 61 trees were positioned within the designated excavation and construction zones of the proposed 2.03-acre expansion area.

Mitigation efforts significantly reduced the number of trees slated for transplantation from 61 to 47, and further to 26, preserving 35 trees in situ.

A particularly notable measure involved the conservation of a Banyan tree with an impressive girth of 675 cm. Initially planned within the basement layout, preserving this tree necessitated substantial adjustments to the basement configuration, ramp alignment, and internal road designs.

The IA underscores the applicant’s dedication to environmental conservation, emphasizing the imperative of minimizing ecological disruption. Judicial authorization is sought to proceed with the transplantation of the remaining 26 trees. A meticulously crafted methodology for the transplantation process, including comprehensive post-transplantation care, has been submitted to the Forest Officer to ensure ecological integrity.

In October 2024, construction officially commenced on the Supreme Court’s expanded facilities. The project envisions a Constitutional Courtroom designed to accommodate 17 judges, complemented by technologically advanced courtrooms. The ground-breaking ceremony featured a distinctive multi-faith ritual officiated by 11 religious leaders.

The expansion project is structured into two phases, with the first phase expected to begin imminently and estimated to take approximately 29 months to complete. Encompassing a total area of 86,500 square meters over five floors, the new structure will house courtrooms on the first and second levels, with the fifth floor designated for the Constitutional Courtroom.

Additional floors will feature a variety of amenities to support litigants, lawyers, and court personnel.

This expansion exemplifies a strategic balance between infrastructural advancement and ecological preservation, offering a benchmark for sustainable practices in judicial infrastructure and urban planning.

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