SC gives green signal to Games village

The Supreme Court has allowed the construction of the Commonwealth Games Village on the banks of the Yamuna river in Delhi to continue. However, the court has said the effects of the construction project on the environment will continue to be monitored.

India is spending Rs 80,000 crore to host the 2010 Games. But activists say the real cost of this plan would be borne by the environment.

"This will kill the river and add to the pollution. No one should be allowed to build on the riverbed. This is the re-charge zone for ground water," said Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh.

As construction began last year, activists moved Delhi High Court urging that the Commonwealth Village be shifted elsewhere. The High Court set up a committee to monitor and minimise its environmental impact.

Now the Supreme Court has given a green signal to the construction.

It said that before work began in 1999, citizens were invited to submit their suggestions and objections. The petitioners should have filed their objection then. It has also added, "There is no truth in the allegation that the construction activities are being carried out on the river bed, and the flood plain of Yamuna."

Environmentalists are also worried over the fact that those wanting to exploit and build along the banks of other rivers will cite this judgment by the Supreme Court to get their way.

The order has come as a relief to the Centre. It can now work without hindrance to complete the project before September 2010 when the athletes start arriving.