MCD appeals SC to save stadium

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has rushed to the Supreme Court, seeking a direction to protect a basketball stadium in Karol Bagh, that exists since 1972, reports Bhadra Sinha.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has rushed to the Supreme Court, seeking a direction to protect a basketball stadium in Karol Bagh, that exists since 1972.

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A Delhi High Court bench, headed by its Chief Justice, had in November 2009 ordered demolition of the stadium.

The bench had also directed the MCD to sublet the park for social functions.

In addition, the bench had directed the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to constitute a committee to examine letting out parks which come under the purview of the civic body.

It had also prohibited the MCD from converting the stadium into a state-of-the-art indoor basketball arena.

The Supreme Court bench, headed by the Chief Justice of

India K.G. Balakrishnan, stayed the implementation of the

High Court order and issued notice to the organisation on whose petition the stadium was demolished.

Appearing for MCD, Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati said the High Court had misinterpreted the provisions of the Master Plan 2021.

He said Karol Bagh residents have been using the stadium for a number of years and national level championships have been organised here since 1972.

Vahanvati, in his appeal for the MCD said, “If the existing stadium was permissible under the old Master Plans, it could not be held impermissible under the present Master Plan.”

“As per international norms, basketball is played in an indoor stadium with maple wood flooring and air-conditioning. Accordingly, on June 13, 2008, the MCD started construction and has already completed the outer wall foundation work,” Vahanvati added.