The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union government to submit a comprehensive layout plan and details of the exact area allocated for shifting the historic Central Secretariat Library under the Central Vista redevelopment project.
A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva issued formal notice to the Centre, ordering it to submit an affidavit outlining the spatial provisions for the 135-year-old institution, which houses more than 8.5 lakh books. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appeared before the bench on behalf of the Union government.
The top court initiated the proceedings suo moto under the title ‘In Re: 135-yr-old library, 8.5 lakh books-and no room in the new Central Vista plan’.
Scrutiny Over Space Allocation
The judicial intervention follows media reports highlighting uncertainty over the future premises of the library, which has occupied four floors of Shastri Bhawan since 1969. The reports indicated that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had designated only two rooms in the Kartavya Bhawan-2 complex for the extensive collection, raising concerns that the broader Central Vista master plan lacked sufficient accommodation for the facility.
Ministry Clarifies Redevelopment Provision
In response to reports regarding the lack of designated premises, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs clarified that dedicated space for the Central Secretariat Library has been incorporated into the Central Vista redevelopment project. The court will review the exact dimensions and physical arrangements once the Centre files its layout plan and affidavit.
