SC asks Centre to furnish details on relocation of Central Secretariat Library under Central Vista project

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a directive to the Union government, instructing the Centre to submit a detailed affidavit on the proposed relocation of the Central ariat Library, a key component of the broader Central Vista redevelopment plan. The order was pronounced in the wake of a petition filed by the Society for the Protection of Heritage (SPH), which contended that the library, an institution with a history stretching back to the British era, was being sidelined without adequate justification. The bench, comprising Justice R..

Subhash Reddy and Justice Aniruddha Bose, granted the petitioners a three‑week window to furnish the affidavit, signalling the Court’s willingness to scrutinise the procedural and substantive aspects of the project.The Central ariat Library, housed within the iconic ariat building in New Delhi, has long served as a repository of government documents, parliamentary records, and a wide array of scholarly resources. Established in 1859, the library has witnessed the evolution of the Indian administrative apparatus, preserving archives that span pre‑independence legislation, post‑independence policy papers, and contemporary research material. Its location within the historic precincts of the ariat has made it not just a functional space but also a symbolic landmark of continuity in the nation’s bureaucratic heritage.The Central Vista project, announced in 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, seeks to overhaul a swathe of New Delhi’s central administrative zone, encompassing the Parliament House, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the ariat..

The redevelopment blueprint envisages a modernised complex with upgraded office blocks, a new parliamentary building, and reconfigured public spaces. Proponents argue that the overhaul is essential to address the growing demands of a burgeoning bureaucracy and to bring the capital’s civic infrastructure in line with contemporary standards of sustainability and accessibility.Critics, however, have raised concerns that the redevelopment plan risks erasing architectural and cultural heritage that defines the capital’s identity. The SPH’s petition specifically highlighted the fate of the Central ariat Library, questioning whether the relocation plan had been formulated with due diligence, and whether the proposed new premises would meet the functional requirements of a national library..

The petitioners also sought clarification on the timeline for the library’s move, the interim arrangements for its collections, and the safeguards to be put in place to prevent loss or damage to invaluable archival material.In response, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appeared before the bench and assured the Court that the Union government had conducted a series of feasibility studies and stakeholder consultations before finalising the relocation strategy. Bhati cited a draft proposal prepared by the National Library of India, which recommended a new, purpose‑built facility on the outskirts of the capital, equipped with climate‑controlled storage, digitisation labs, and enhanced public reading spaces. According to the Union’s submission, the proposed site would not only accommodate the existing collection but also provide room for future expansion, addressing a long‑standing issue of space constraints in the current library.The Court, while acknowledging the government’s efforts, expressed reservations about the adequacy of the information presented..

Justice Reddy remarked that the affidavit must include a comprehensive inventory of the library’s holdings, the condition assessment of each item, and the specific technical specifications of the proposed new building. He also stressed the need for an independent audit by a recognized archival body to verify that the relocation would not compromise the integrity of the documents. Moreover, the judges underscored the importance of transparency, urging the Centre to publish the findings of the feasibility studies and the public feedback received during the consultation process.Legal experts have noted that the Supreme Court’s intervention reflects a broader trend of judicial oversight in large‑scale infrastructure projects that intersect with heritage preservation..

“The Court is essentially asking the government to prove that it has not taken a shortcut when dealing with an institution of such historical and functional significance,” said Meera Sharma, a constitutional law scholar at the National Law University, Delhi. “The affidavit requirement is a procedural safeguard, ensuring that any decision to move the library is backed by concrete data and not merely by aesthetic or political considerations.”The Centre’s response to the Court’s directive will be closely watched by a spectrum of stakeholders, ranging from civil servants who rely on the library’s resources for policy research, to historians and archivists concerned about the preservation of primary source material. The Ministry of Culture, which oversees heritage sites, has indicated its willingness to cooperate with the judiciary and to facilitate an independent review of the relocation plan..

In a statement released after the hearing, the ministry emphasized its commitment to “balancing developmental imperatives with the preservation of India’s documentary heritage.”Public reaction to the news has been mixed. While some urban planners and policy analysts view the Central Vista redevelopment as a necessary step towards modernising the capital’s administrative heart, heritage activists argue that the project, in its current form, threatens to dilute the historical fabric of New Delhi. Social media discourse has amplified these divergent views, with hashtags such as #SaveTheLibrary and #VistaforFuture trending simultaneously..

The SPH has pledged to organise a series of public seminars and exhibitions to raise awareness about the library’s legacy and to mobilise support for an alternative relocation strategy that would keep the collection within the central precinct.If the affidavit submitted by the Union government satisfies the Court’s requisites, the matter may proceed to a substantive hearing where the feasibility of the proposed relocation will be examined in depth. Conversely, any perceived inadequacy could prompt the Court to issue interim orders, potentially stalling the Central Vista project until a satisfactory plan is presented. Legal analysts suggest that the Supreme Court’s involvement could set a precedent for future infrastructure undertakings, compelling authorities to integrate heritage impact assessments more rigorously into their planning processes.The broader implications of the Supreme Court’s directive extend beyond the immediate issue of the Central ariat Library..

The Central Vista redevelopment, touted as a flagship initiative of the current administration, is emblematic of the tension between modernization and conservation that many post‑colonial capitals face. As the Centre navigates the legal, administrative, and public dimensions of this project, the outcome of the library’s relocation debate will likely serve as a barometer for how India reconciles its storied past with aspirations for a contemporary future.In the coming weeks, as the Union government prepares the affidavit, it will need to address not only the logistical details of the new library’s location and infrastructure but also the broader concerns raised by heritage custodians and the judiciary. The Supreme Court’s insistence on a transparent, data‑driven approach underscores the expectation that any transformation of the capital’s core must be grounded in rigorous planning and respect for the nation’s cultural assets..

The final decision, whether it affirms the current relocation scheme or prompts a re‑evaluation, will have.