The Delhi High Court has warned that construction work in Aerocity could be stopped if authorities fail to urgently address severe waterlogging and traffic congestion in Mahipalpur. The warning was directed at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) during a hearing on the urban infrastructure problems affecting the area.
A bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said the court would not hesitate to order a halt to ongoing construction if the responsible agencies did not take immediate action and appear before the court with a concrete response.
“We are warning them today. If they do not take steps and do not appear before the court, we will stop the construction. Be absolutely clear about this,” the bench said, according to the report.
The court’s intervention follows concerns over persistent waterlogging and traffic jams in Mahipalpur, an important access zone near Delhi airport and the Aerocity development. The court observed that development work in Aerocity and along National Highway 48 had contributed to the waterlogging situation in the locality, and said the agencies needed to treat the issue more seriously.
The hearing also saw strong criticism of NHAI’s response. The report said no senior NHAI official or lawyer appeared before the bench with a substantive answer. The court expressed displeasure at what it described as the authority’s indifferent approach to the problem.
The case highlights the coordination challenge created when large private developments, national highways and city drainage systems operate across different institutional jurisdictions. Mahipalpur’s waterlogging and congestion concerns involve multiple agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Public Works Department, NHAI and DIAL. The court has therefore directed Delhi’s chief secretary to continue meetings with all concerned agencies and fix responsibility for a permanent solution.
The direction places responsibility not only on the agencies managing roads and drainage but also on the authorities connected with the Aerocity development. The court is seeking a coordinated plan rather than isolated responses from individual departments. The report does not specify the technical measures proposed so far or the extent of the construction activity that could be affected by a future order.
The matter will be heard next on 30 October. By that hearing, the agencies are expected to present a concrete and effective plan to address the waterlogging and traffic problems. If the court is not satisfied with the response, it may consider action to stop construction work in Aerocity.
