HC rap to MCD, zoo authorities

Acting on a report in Hindustan Times, the Delhi high court on Friday sought an explanation from the MCD on its failure to lay a storm water drain in National Zoological Park. Nivedita Khandekar and Harish Nair report.

Acting on a report in Hindustan Times, the Delhi high court on Friday sought an explanation from the MCD on its failure to lay a storm water drain in National Zoological Park.

HT Image

Contaminated water clubbed with absence of a proper drain had killed more than a dozen black bucks last year at the Park, popularly known as Delhi zoo. The court made it clear to the civic authority that such a tragedy shall not recur.

Taking suo motu cognizance of the HT report 'MCD yet to lay drain in Delhi zoo' dated May 25, a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justice Sanjiv Khanna asked the MCD counsel to file a detailed report by June 1.

The court also expressed concern about the death of black bucks caused after the animals consumed contaminated water that had gathered inside their enclosure due to lack of proper drainage in September last year.

HT had reported that the MCD has not even started the work for laying a storm water drain.

MCD spokesperson Deep Mathur said, "We are examining the court order for immediate appropriate action. The MCD has awarded the contract for laying of the drain and the work is slated to start on Monday."