SHOULD green lungs of the Capital like Siri Fort Sports Complex be allowed to be destroyed for just eight or nine days of Commonwealth Games?" The answer's no; and it came from the Supreme Court on Friday. Acting on apprehensions raised by advocate M L Lahoty that the proposed multi-level underground parking at the Games venue would ruin the Siri Fort complex, a Special Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan asked the government to consider an alternative. The Bench, also comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia, asked the government to maintain status quo in {he area till further orders. The petition before the court says the authorities plan to fell a large number of trees in the 35-acre complex for the Games project. Lahoty told the court that authorities would take up the entire area of golf driving range and the children's corner area in the sports complex to construct the parking lot and a VIP route for the Games. Lahoty, supported by senior advocate Harish Salve, said greenery was being destroyed in the guise of laying roads for VIP movement around the sports complex. This, Lahoty contended, would cause difficulty to people who go there for morning walks. Lahoty pointed out that DDA has already allotted 14 acres in the area for hosting squash and basketball in 2010 Games. In response, the court asked the authorities to "consider an alternative" for the projects. Representing the government, Additional Solicitor General Amarender Saran questioned how the Special Bench was entertaining such a plea. "The government was already working against deadlines and a stay order would further delay the project," he said. Justice Pasayat took an exception to this remark: "This kind of enthusiasm should be shown in the Games, not in the court. Heavens will not fall if you will look into it. It's a suggestion of the court. Come back in two weeks with your response."