Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has issued a directive to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to remove all encroachments and illegal constructions on the Yamuna river bank, riverbed, and the drains flowing into the river. This order aims to address the ongoing environmental and public health issues caused by unauthorized developments.
A bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued the order on July 8, which was made public on Wednesday. The court instructed the DDA’s Vice Chairman (VC) to take immediate action in response to a plea seeking the demolition of unauthorized structures and to implement measures to prevent future encroachments.
The court’s order emphasized that the VC, also designated as the nodal officer, must collaborate with officials from various departments, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Pollution Control Board, and the Forest Department. The VC is to convene a meeting with these officials within a week to ensure coordinated efforts in removing the encroachments.
The petitioner, Shabnam Burney, highlighted the environmental hazards posed by the illegal constructions, which threaten the fragile ecosystem of the Yamuna floodplain. She pointed out that these developments contribute to air pollution, causing respiratory issues for nearby residents.
Central Government Standing Counsel Apoorv Kurup acknowledged the adverse effects of encroachments on the floodplain, noting that such activities divert water flow and lead to flooding in adjacent areas. He stressed that experts have linked recent floods in the capital to the encroachment of drains, riverbanks, and riverbeds, which restricts the natural flow of water in the Yamuna.
Representatives from the Delhi government and Delhi Police, through advocate Avishkar Singhvi, informed the court that several complaints regarding illegal constructions had been forwarded to the DDA and MCD for action. They assured the court that the authorities would provide all necessary assistance to address the issue.
Advocate Ajay Arora, representing the MCD, affirmed the municipal corporation’s commitment to cooperating fully with the DDA and DMRC in the removal of encroachments.
