5 years after issuing an order for releasing the Yamuna floodplains from encroachments, the Nationwide Inexperienced Tribunal (NGT) lately pulled up the Delhi Improvement Authority (DDA), Delhi Air pollution Management Committee (DPCC) and the Forest Division over non-compliance. The tribunal bench comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noticed, “After that order of the Tribunal, greater than 5 years have handed, however until now the order has not been complied with.”
Within the 22-km stretch between Wazirabad and Okhla in Delhi the place Yamuna flows, the DDA and different companies have been directed to take away encroachments within the floodplains in a 2019 order handed by the NGT and an April order final 12 months by the Delhi Excessive Courtroom.
Citing varied different orders, together with a writ petition titled, ‘Shabnam Burney vs Union of India & Ors’, whereby the petitioner sought instructions to take away unlawful encroachments within the Yamuna floodplains, the HC — in its interim order in April final 12 months — directed the DDA Vice Chairman to take away all encroachments and unlawful building on the Yamuna river financial institution, river mattress and drains flowing into the river.
The NGT bench in an order dated February 6 additionally cited a January 2024 Supreme Courtroom order whereby the apex courtroom “agreed with the priority expressed by the NGT about sustaining the flood plains of river Yamuna within the bigger curiosity of not solely the members of public however within the largerinterest of the surroundings.”
“Regardless of these orders by NGT, Division Bench of the Excessive Courtroom of Delhi and the Hon’ble Supreme Courtroom, the flood plain of River Yamuna in Delhi stretch has not been cleared from encroachment,” acknowledged the bench, additionally comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, and professional member Dr Afroz Ahmad.
Along with this, the DDA had been in October, final 12 months directed to submit particulars of a number of encroachments recognized within the Delhi stretch of the floodplain and the variety of encroachments in Majnu Ka Tila excluding encroachments by Pakistani refugees. It was additionally directed to reveal the variety of refugee households which have taken shelter in Majnu ka Tila.
The Tribunal noticed that this was additionally not complied with. The DDA in response has sought three weeks to submit a contemporary affidavit. The matter has been listed for April 4, for additional proceedings.
