Top court to get new five-storey structure
The Supreme Court building at Tilak Marg in the Capital is all set to undergo expansion to accommodate more courtrooms. The new five-storey structure would be spread over 86,000 square metres and will also feature two basements.
“We are not just adding space, but expanding to expedite the process of delivering justice,” said Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, following the ground-breaking ceremony. Power and Housing Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also attended the event.
Spread over 38,250 square metres, the first phase of the structure’s construction is expected to be completed in 29 months.
According to the sources, the ground floor would be dedicated to utility spaces for lawyers, including a library, canteen and offices for the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), while the upper floors would have courtrooms, court offices and chambers. The fifth floor would have space for a special 17-judge Bench, they stated.
The sources further said that the second phase of the project would cover 48,250 square metres and add 29 courtrooms along with additional court offices and chambers.
The CJI said, “This expansion shall serve as a living entity, like our Constitution, adapting to the needs of society and holding firm to core values such as justice, liberty and equality. Today’s event should be seen as the judiciary being responsive to the growing needs of the nation.”
Supreme Court Judges Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Vikram Nath and BV Nagarathna and former top court Judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul were also present on the occasion.
