The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the proposed relocation of Delhi’s 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library (CSL), which houses more than 8.5 lakh books. The move has raised concerns amid reports that no space has been earmarked for the library under the new Central Vista Plan.
The Supreme Court’s suo motu intervention comes after a September 29 report by The Indian Express titled “135-yr-old library, 8.5 lakh books – and no room in the new Central Vista plan”. The report said the library, currently located in Shastri Bhawan, could be relocated following the proposed demolition of the building under the Central Vista redevelopment project. The possible relocation has raised concerns about finding appropriate premises for the library and ensuring the safety and preservation of its vast collection. Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) clarified that space has been designated for the Central Secretariat Library under the redevelopment plan for Kartavya Path.
