Supreme Court dismisses petition on Central Vista project

"It's not (a) private property being created there. The Vice President's residence is being created. There is bound to be greenery around. The plan has already been approved by authorities unless you are alleging malafide in that process," Justice AM Khanwilkar said during the hearing in a string of tough remarks, reported NDTV.

"Will we start asking the common man now where will the residence of the Vice President be?" he further asked

In a petition, social activist Rajeev Suri claimed that the land used in some areas is being transformed from "public recreational" to "residential" for the project.

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the judges, the government is "increasing green area as part of the holistic development."

The court made it clear that the authorities concerned have the upper hand in making changes in the development plan while underlining that it is  "a policy matter."

The government said that the land in question was used by Defence Ministry for years and the government decided to add various public recreation areas in the master plan of Central Vista, keeping in mind the larger benefit of the public.