New Delhi: On Friday, the Delhi High Court directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to promptly clean the culvert and pathway utilized by over 3,000 soldiers of the Rajputana Rifles as they make their way to the parade ground in the Delhi Cantonment area.
During the proceedings, the superintendent engineer and legal counsel for the PWD informed the court that preliminary approval has been granted for the construction of a foot overbridge (FOB) to facilitate safer crossing.
A bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet P.S. Arora emphasized that while the FOB project can proceed at its own pace, immediate action is required to clean the area. The court instructed the PWD to remove debris and mud, clean the walls, and install block tiles to ensure safe passage for the soldiers.
“The court has reviewed photographs depicting the condition of the culvert and the walking path used by the Rajputana Rifles soldiers. As the design, tendering, and construction of the FOB progress, the engineer in charge has committed to cleaning the entire walking path and tiling the culvert after removing hazardous materials such as debris and stones,” the bench stated.
The court mandated that the cleanup commence without delay and requested that authorities submit photographs and a status report by June 18.
“Given the potential for significant mud accumulation during the monsoon season, daily maintenance of the area is essential to prevent any disruption to the movement of soldiers,” the court added.
On May 26, the high court had taken judicial notice of a news report highlighting the unsanitary conditions faced by the soldiers, who were required to traverse a foul-smelling and filthy drain to exit their barracks and reach the parade ground in the Delhi Cantonment area.
On May 26, the High Court took judicial notice of a concerning news report indicating that over 3,000 soldiers from the Rajputana Rifles are compelled to traverse a foul-smelling and filthy drain to access the parade ground from their barracks in the Delhi Cantonment area.
The court noted, “The soldiers are required to pass through this culvert four times a day. The drain is reportedly flooded, slick with sludge, and in some areas, it reaches waist-deep levels.”
Describing the situation as “unacceptable,” the High Court highlighted that a request for the construction of a bridge at the site had been made to the Delhi government, but no action had been taken to date.
“This particular issue concerning the soldiers who must march through this drain is indeed intolerable. The report indicates that a bridge was requested but remains unbuilt,” the bench remarked.
During the proceedings, the court learned that the area is low-lying, resulting in a culvert that is inadequately elevated.
A Public Works Department (PWD) official proposed the installation of a traffic signal and a zebra crossing, with designated timings for the soldiers’ movements, allowing them to safely walk along the road between their barracks and the parade ground.
In response, the court issued a notice to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, instructing them to assess the feasibility of implementing a traffic signal and zebra crossing that would not impede vehicular traffic.
The bench directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) and the engineer in charge to convene a meeting on June 3 with the nodal officer from the Delhi Cantonment Board, who will be responsible for coordinating these initiatives.
