Supreme Court steps in over Central Secretariat Library space crisis

The Supreme Court's intervention comes after recent reports highlighted the precarious situation facing one of India's oldest libraries. The Central Secretariat Library, a repository of historical documents and administrative records spanning over a century, has been left without accommodation in the Central Vista project, which aims to transform New Delhi's central administrative zone.

Established in 1891 during the British colonial era, the library has served as an important resource for government officials, scholars and researchers. The institution houses an extensive collection of rare manuscripts, historical records and reference materials that document India's administrative and cultural heritage.

The suo motu cognisance taken by the apex court indicates judicial concern about the fate of the library and its collections during the ongoing Central Vista redevelopment. The Central Vista project represents one of the largest infrastructure modernisation initiatives in the capital, but questions have arisen about whether adequate provisions have been made for heritage institutions like the library.

The Supreme Court's intervention is expected to prompt the relevant government authorities to address the library's spatial requirements and ensure that the institution's collections and functions are adequately accommodated within the broader urban development framework. The proceedings will likely examine both the immediate accommodation crisis and the long-term preservation of the library's historical significance.