In a recent address, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change. He spoke at the foundation stone laying for new court buildings in Delhi. He pointed to alarming weather events in Delhi. These events included intense heatwaves and record-breaking rainfall. These serve as reminders that climatic changes can no longer be ignored. The severity of these events highlights the reality of climate change impacts. These impacts are here and now. They affect every aspect of life, including infrastructure.
“This year, Delhi had its hottest weather ever,” said CJI Chandrachud, highlighting how important it is to use sustainable practices every day. He emphasized the need to cut down on carbon emissions and live in ways that help the environment. “Our buildings and roads need to match the world we live in,” he explained. Chandrachud asked everyone to use eco-friendly habits and help with green projects where they live.
Environmentally Sustainable Court Buildings
The new court complexes, located in Karkardooma, Shastri Park, and Rohini, will exemplify these principles. Designed to meet Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) standards, they aim to minimize heat island effects and lessen their environmental footprint. GRIHA ratings assess buildings against national environmental benchmarks, ensuring they are energy-efficient and eco-friendly. These new court buildings will incorporate sustainable materials, energy-efficient systems, and green spaces to enhance environmental quality.
Chandrachud expressed his satisfaction that these new buildings will not only serve as judicial spaces but also contribute positively to environmental conservation. Court premises, like all buildings, symbolize hope and justice, he remarked. By investing in sustainable infrastructure, the judiciary aims not only to improve operational efficiency but also to uphold principles of justice in a dignified environment. He emphasized that these buildings are a testament to the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the environment while serving the public.
Commitment to Justice and Public Service Amidst Climate Change
Chandrachud stressed that courts must uphold the Constitution and serve everyone who comes to them for justice. He highlighted how courts are vital for providing public service and ensuring fair access to justice for all. Chandrachud believes the new court buildings will make the judicial system work better. They’ll help reduce the number of pending cases and create a respectful environment for judges, lawyers, and people involved in legal cases.
These new buildings will have modern technology to make court procedures smoother and easier for everyone. Chandrachud also emphasized the importance of safety and accessibility in these new buildings. He pointed out that it’s crucial for judges, lawyers, and people in court to feel safe and comfortable. Making sure these buildings have modern amenities is essential. It ensures that everyone, no matter their situation, can easily access justice and be treated fairly.
A Vision for Modern and Inclusive Judiciary Set by CJI Chandrachud
These new court complexes are more than just functional buildings. Stakeholders see them as symbols of a modern and fair judiciary. Chandrachud hopes they will honor India’s court traditions and adapt to future needs with new designs. He believes every court case represents a quest for fairness. This shows how important it is to create spaces that embody justice and fairness. The new buildings will serve as reminders that the judiciary upholds these values in all its work.
CJI Chandrachud emphasized that updating court buildings is part of a bigger plan to improve the entire judicial system. This plan includes using new technologies, organizing cases better, and making sure the legal process is clear and works well. By investing in modern buildings and new ideas, the judiciary aims to serve the public better and make sure laws are followed.
Chandrachud also said the courts are committed to fairness and protecting the environment. “I think these new buildings will not only work better but also show that we believe in fairness and including everyone,” he said with hope. The new court buildings are more than just places to work. They show a new way of thinking about fairness. This new way cares about the environment, makes sure everyone can use the courts easily, and gets things done well.
The effort to build eco-friendly court buildings shows that India is more aware of climate change. It also shows India’s dedication to using sustainable practices in building projects. As Delhi gets ready to welcome these new courts, it marks a big step towards a cleaner and stronger future. This shows that the judiciary is taking action on climate change and wants a fair society for everyone.
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