SC directions sought to halt sealing for six months

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) The Union Urban Development Ministry today moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) not to undertake sealing operations in the capital during the next six months.

The application filed by Mr S Mukherjee, Under Secretary in the Urban Development Ministry, has also sought directions to the civic body to complete the exercise of identification of mixed use roads/streets in residential areas within a period of six months in a systematic and organised manner as per the provisions of the master plan.

The Central government has also pleaded that such a study of the problem to find a solution to growing use of residential areas for commercial purposes required help of experts, resident welfare association, architects and others.

This is an attempt by the Central government to bring to a halt the ongoing sealing process in the national capital without entering into confrontation with the court.

The Central government had earlier brought a notification in the night of March 28, permitting mixed land use in the residential areas of Delhi and the sealing process was to bigin on next day.

The conduct of the Central government was not liked by the Supreme Court and held it and the MCD for deliberately creating confusion.

Eds: pick up suitably from the earlier story.

UNI AKS/SC HS RS1759