SC summons top officials over tree felling at Ridge

THE Supreme Court on Thursday summoned the director general of the Central Public Works Department and the DDA vice-chairperson on a contempt petition against government officials for felling of trees in the Ridge area in the city in violation of its orders.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan ordered the two authorities to maintain status quo in the area and issued notices to them and the Director General of Forest and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest.

The top court was hearing a contempt plea contending that the ridge is the only forested place left in the national capital, and a large number of trees have been felled there by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to construct an approach road between Chhattarpur Road and SAARC University near Maidan Garhi.