The Delhi High Court has on Tuesday warned the relevant authorities of Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Ltd (MTNL), BSES, North Municipal Corporation of Delhi (North MCD), and others, citing that it would issue contempt action against the organizations if they failed to remove hanging cables and wires from Delhi’s Chandni Chowk.
A division bench comprising of Justice Sanghi and Justice Rekha Palli heard a plea by Nodal Officers seeking action with respect to the wires, as part of Chandni Chowk’s redevelopment project. The petition alleged that MTNL was not cooperating and as a result of which feeder pillars are yet to be shifted despite repeated directions.
Meanwhile, the court remarked that if these wires were removed, perhaps electricity for all of Chandni Chowk would be gone – indicating that these were all in all likelihood electrical wires. However, it was clarified that most of these wires were in fact of DTH and internet connections.
Advocate Naushad Ahmed Khan appearing for the nodal officers submitted before the bench that the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk might become the theme of Delhi’s tableau for the upcoming Republic Day Parade.
Subsequently, the bench passed the orders to remove the hanging cables and clarified that non-compliance with the order would result in the initiation of contempt proceedings against them.
The court was also informed that the MTNL officers had hitherto shown a lackadaisical attitude towards the said work, and were not even present for the inspection conducted of the redevelopment project on December 28.
“All service providers shall ensure compliance failing which we will be compelled to initiate contempt action,” the bench remarked.
The matter is posted for further hearing on April 12.
