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M/S Metrro Waste Handling Private Limited vs. Delhi Jal Board

Original Miscellaneous Petition (Miscellaneous, Commercial) · 2026:DHC:8808Decided 6 Oct 2026New Delhi Bench
O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 786/2026CNR: DLHC010480052026
Justice Om Prakash Shukla

Background

A waste management contractor sought a two-month extension of the mandate of a sole arbitrator (originally appointed by the Court in January 2024) in its ongoing arbitration against the Delhi Jal Board. Final arguments had already concluded and the matter was reserved for the arbitrator's award.

Decision Breakdown

Since the Delhi Jal Board's counsel had no objection and the arbitration was already at an advanced stage (reserved for the award), the Court extended the arbitrator's mandate by two months from 07.10.2026 under Sections 29A(4) and 29A(5) of the Arbitration Act.

Lesson Learnt

When an arbitration is nearly finished and both sides agree, courts readily grant short mandate extensions under Section 29A rather than forcing a restart: timely cooperative applications can avoid wasting a nearly-complete arbitration.

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