Chandigarh: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant Saturday stressed that judicial infrastructure must keep pace with India’s rapid economic and population growth, warning that inadequate facilities could hamper future urban development and the justice delivery system.The CJI was speaking after inaugurating a multilevel parking facility at the Sector 43 District Courts Complex. Built at a cost of around Rs 40 crore on nearly 4.5 acres, the four-storey structure, including a basement, can accommodate about 1,500 vehicles and is expected to ease chronic parking congestion at the courts complex. The foundation stone for the project was laid by Union home minister Amit Shah on July 30, 2022.Addressing a gathering, Justice Surya Kant said India had made significant progress in recent years and that development must be backed by robust infrastructure. “If infrastructure does not grow in line with development, the model of urbanisation will face serious challenges in the future,” he said.Recalling his 18-19 years of legal practice at the Punjab and Haryana high court, the CJI said lawyers and litigants deserved basic amenities at court complexes, similar to those available at hospitals. He stressed that improving facilities at courts should remain a priority.Highlighting the growing need for multilevel parking at public institutions, including courts, hospitals and schools, he noted that the number of vehicles was increasing much faster than supporting infrastructure. Referring to the Punjab and Haryana high court, he said parking remained a major concern and urged the Chandigarh administration to explore expansion or alternative arrangements for lawyers and visitors.Justice Surya Kant described lawyers as an integral part of the justice delivery system and called for better infrastructure at district and subdivisional courts. He urged the Punjab and Haryana govts to upgrade judicial facilities, saying enhanced infrastructure would enable the appointment of more judicial officers and help address the long-standing issue of case pendency.Chandigarh administrator and Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria lauded Justice Surya Kant’s journey from a village in Haryana’s Hisar district to the Supreme Court, calling it an inspiration and a testament to talent and perseverance.Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana high court Ashwani Kumar Mishra credited Justice Surya Kant for conceptualising the parking project while serving as chairman of the high court building committee, saying the facility became a reality due to his vision and planning.
