Urban News

“Our contention has been endorsed by the Delhi High Court too, thus proving that the DMRC does not have a case. The HC order further legitimises our action and we will continue to take action against any similar violation that we come across,” a senior MCD official said.

The Corporation further said the issue calls for a more structured plan of action. Officials added that while the Corporation was clear about the land use contract, which mentions clearly that DMRC must obtain prior sanction from the MCD for carrying out any construction activity and that it must not use the land for any commercial purposes, there is still a need to “sit down and devise a structured plan of action now”.

“The problem is not just restricted to the Parsvnath Mall and involves the larger issue of land use by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. While the DMRC does not really have a case in place, it is adamant to devise its own land use rules,” the official said. “We will wait till the next hearing in the High Court on July 1 and then decide on our future course of action,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Sadar Paharganj Zone Deputy Commissioner Renu Jagdev said the Parsvnath Mall will remain closed “till next month when the next court hearing in the case takes place”.

Some other similar ‘Metro malls’, such as the ones functional at Netaji Subhash Place, Kashmiri Gate, Tees Hazari and Rohini stations are also likely to face similar action. “While there is already a problem with the commercial use of Metro land, these complexes have come up without the requisite permission from the MCD as required by our building bye-laws. Getting building plans sanctioned is a pre-requisite and we will take action on other malls too,” said a senior MCD official.

The High Court has fixed July 1 as the next date for regular hearing of the matter. The Court has also directed MCD to file its reply or a counter affidavit within the next two weeks.