The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked various authorities, including the Delhi Development Authority and the National Highways Authority of India, to submit a time frame for de-concretisation of trees in the national capital. While hearing a contempt plea highlighting the concretisation of trees in South Delhi's Vasant Vihar, a single judge bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh orally observed that the "goal post is de-concretisation of trees all over Delhi". Justice Singh directed, “The respondents shall file their respective affidavits in terms of the order dated March 23, 2022, indicating the total number of trees which are concretised, the total number of trees which have been de-concretised, and which remain to be de-concretised. “The affidavit will also indicate why the balance number of trees have been de-concretised and the time frame within which the same shall be de-concretised,” said Justice Singh. The court said that these affidavits will include the location of the trees and will be verified by the concerned Deputy Conservator of Forests. "In addition, it will be the endeavour to de-concretise the trees immediately after the restrictions, if any, are imposed by the Delhi government,” said the court after being informed about the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) 3 restrictions on construction and demolition activities in the national capital. dThe plea is next listed in January 2024.
