Prayagraj: In a significant order, the Allahabad High Court has restrained the entry and parking of vehicles inside Prayagraj’s Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, popularly known as Company Bagh. The court also directed that no construction activity, whether temporary or permanent, shall be carried out in the park without its permission.A Division Bench comprising Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Garima Prasad, in its order dated July 30, further instructed the concerned authorities to ensure that the park’s joggers’ track remains properly maintained and free from any obstruction.The order came on a petition filed by Bhupendra Pandey challenging the construction of a new gate for the Central Museum located within the park. The petitioner argued that permitting such construction would damage the city’s vital green space, describing the park as the “lungs of the city” and an oasis amid an increasingly concrete urban landscape.Counsel for the petitioner contended that the entire park is a protected heritage green zone where no construction activity should be allowed. It was submitted that both the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court had earlier directed that no new construction be undertaken within the park premises.The petitioner also argued that the proposed gate would adversely affect the joggers’ track. Further, it was alleged that vehicles were being allowed inside the park despite a 1987 Division Bench ruling in the Arun Kumar case prohibiting both vehicular movement and parking within the park.Opposing the plea, additional solicitor general SP Singh informed the court that another bench had previously permitted the opening of a gate to the National Museum.After hearing both sides, the bench permitted the petitioner’s counsel to implead the Central Museum, Prayagraj, through its director or in charge director as the fifth respondent; the Union of India as the sixth respondent; and Amar Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad Smriti Udyan (Chandra Shekhar Azad Park), Prayagraj, through its director as the seventh respondent.The matter has been listed for further hearing on Aug 31.
