SC steps in over relocation of 135-year-old Delhi library housing 8.5 lakh books
The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu notice of the potential displacement of the 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library due to the Central Vista redevelopment project. While the government claims space has been allocated, the court intends to ensure the preservation of the library's 8.5 lakh books.
Why it matters
The case highlights the tension between large-scale urban infrastructure redevelopment and the preservation of historical and cultural institutions.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the proposed relocation of Delhi's 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library, which holds more than 8.5 lakh books.The court's intervention comes amid reports that the library, currently located in Shastri Bhawan, has not been allotted space in the new Central Vista Plan. The building is proposed to be demolished as part of the Central Vista redevelopment.A Bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday, October 5, reported LiveLaw.Court steps in over library's futureThe suo motu case, titled "In Re: 135-Yr-Old Library 8.5 Lakh Books– And No Room In The New Central Vista Plan", was registered on October 3.The concerns centre on where the library and its vast collection of books would be housed if Shastri Bhawan is demolished.
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