Renovation of the iconic Chandni Chowk in Delhi is one great thing the Delhi government is investing its time and money on. However, the Delhi High Court wants the government to rethink some of its moves.
The HC has come to the rescue of a 300-year-old Banayan tree standing erect at Chandni Chowk’s Kothi Barwali. It is said to be planted in the 17th century and thus is one valuable thing to safeguard.
However, due to some construction activity recently, it has suffered a handful of damages which Delhi’s High Court didn’t like.
On Thursday the Delhi High Court pulled up the Delhi Government and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation for allowing the construction and ordered the take steps for its “immediate restoration”.
As per a report, the tree is in one worts condition with its aerial roots chopped and its trunk hemmed in by concrete. Lashing out on the goverenemtn the judge said photographs show the “horrific” condition of the “grand old tree, which has seen the unfolding of the city”.
“How can you do this to a 300-year-old tree? It has existed even before the Britishers could even think of coming to India. It is a part of the heritage of this city. How can you damage it in this manner?” Justice Najmi Wazri said.
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According to Kushmakar Rastogi, the resident who filed the complaint about the damage to the tree, the tree used to be surrounded by houses on the three sides.
“This property belonged to one Satyanarayan Gurwali, who was believed to be the richest man in the area about 300 years ago. His family planted this tree. There used to be melas under the tree and everyone from the neighbourhood used to gather around,” Rastogi said.
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The court has ordered a complete restoration of the tree asap.
