The Delhi High Court today dismissed a challenge against the ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project, and fined the petitioner Rs 1 lakh as it called the plea "motivated".

No question arises of suspending the construction work amid the novel coronavirus pandemic as "the labourers are staying at the site", the High Court stressed today. The ongoing construction work had drawn criticism as India battles a deadly second wave of coronavirus and lakhs are getting affected each day.

As per the contract given to the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the construction has to be completed by November, and it should be allowed to continue, the court stressed today.

A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing the petition. The legality of the project was already upheld by the Supreme Court, news agency PTI quoted the bench as saying. 

Earlier this month, the center had told the Delhi High Court the petition was "sheer abuse of the process of law" and yet another attempt to block the project. A request was also made to reject the petition with a fine.