The Supreme Court refused to halt construction work on the phase-IV of Delhi Metro, saying any interference would result in huge escalation of costs. A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Vikram Nath noted that there was provision for planting of uprooted trees.

The phase-IV of Delhi Metro will consist of six corridors -- Aerocity to Tughlakabad, Inderlok to Indraprastha, Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block, Mukundpur to Maujpur, Janakpuri West to R K Ashram, and Rithala to Bawana and Narela.

The top court said that no doubt that concern for the environment is an important aspect, however developmental works like Metro railway, which will cater to billions of people and reduce carbon emissions as the number of vehicles on road will be reduced, cannot be ignored.

The bench further directed DMRC to be careful in future while planning further phases.