PIL Challenges JDA’s Two-Storey Construction Inside Jaipur’s Central Park
Environmental activists have moved the Rajasthan High Court, alleging illegal construction by the Jaipur Development Authority inside Central Park’s Rambagh Golf Club area, despite long-standing court orders banning all structures.
Jaipur’s Central Park has once again become the centre of a legal and environmental dispute, with activists filing a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Rajasthan High Court against the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA). The petition challenges the construction of a two-storey building within the Rambagh Golf Club (RGC) premises, alleging it violates existing High Court orders that prohibit any form of construction in the area.
According to the petitioners, the proposed G+1 structure is being built as part of an underground parking project inside Central Park, which is expected to be inaugurated later this month. They allege the new building is intended to compensate RGC for nine kiosks that were demolished to make way for the parking facility, despite those kiosks themselves being declared illegal.
The PIL argues that construction inside the RGC compound is expressly barred under a High Court order dated May 25, 1996, which designated Central Park as a complete no-construction zone. “Any permanent structure inside the park is illegal,” the petition states, seeking to quash the decisions approving the building.
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Activists allege violation of High Court’s no-construction order
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JDA accused of compensating illegal kiosks with new permanent building
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Matter now sub-judice, officials decline comment
Gaurav Choudhari, counsel for the petitioners, said the approvals for the structure were granted during two official meetings—one chaired by the state’s Chief Secretary on July 10, 2023, and another led by the JDA Commissioner on September 14, 2023. “Since the construction violates court orders, we have requested the High Court to set aside the decisions taken in these meetings,” Choudhari said.
The issue traces back to 2018, when RGC constructed nine kiosks at the same site where the underground parking facility now stands. Environmental group Central Park Bachao Sangharsh Samiti (CPBSS), comprising regular morning walkers at the park, objected to the kiosks and filed complaints with the JDA, citing the no-construction directive.
CPBSS president Yogesh Yadav said initial action was taken by then JDA officials, who halted the work. However, construction allegedly resumed after the officials were transferred. Following further complaints, the state government ordered a probe and, in January 2020, declared the kiosks illegal, directing their demolition. Activists claim the JDA failed to act on this order for years.
Officials from Rambagh Golf Club were unavailable for comment, while senior JDA officials declined to respond, citing the matter as sub-judice. With the High Court now seized of the case, the dispute is expected to test the balance between urban infrastructure development and environmental protection in one of Jaipur’s most prominent public spaces.
