Yamuna cleaning case: Delhi HC raps DDA over delay in replying

The Delhi High Court on Monday pulled up the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for its failure to respond to a request for relaxation of norms required for the redevelopment of industrial plots in the Capital, observing that the delay had caused a “complete stalemate” in the process

The Delhi High Court on Monday pulled up the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for its failure to respond to a request for relaxation of norms required for the redevelopment of industrial plots in the Capital, observing that the delay had caused a “complete stalemate” in the process.

The court was hearing a suo motu plea initiated over waterlogging in the Capital (Hindustan Times)

A bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora emphasised that redevelopment of these areas was imperative to prevent untreated sewage from continuing to flow into the Yamuna.

“DDA has not replied which has caused a complete stalemate in the redevelopment. Redevelopment of these areas is absolutely essential to ensure that untreated sewage water does not flow into Yamuna. We have been managing this matter for one year and Samaypur Badli is sleeping. Everybody is sitting in luxury,” the bench remarked.

The court was hearing a suo motu plea initiated over waterlogging in the Capital, after it was informed that of the 27 non-conforming industrial areas in Delhi, redevelopment plans for 25 had been submitted to DDA, while plans for the remaining two – Samaypur Badli and Phirni Road in Mundka – were still pending.

The plans, prepared by Delhi government and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), were forwarded to MCD and then to DDA for relaxation of certain norms, but no approval had been granted so far, the court was told.

DDA’s counsel submitted that the matter was being dealt with under the erstwhile Master Plan and, since a new Master Plan had been announced, no work had been undertaken pursuant to it.

The bench directed DDA to convene a meeting with the concerned authorities on August 31 and submit a timeline for obtaining approvals to lay sewer lines and stormwater drains in the 25 areas.

It also directed the DDA, MCD and DSIIDC to demarcate the boundary of Samaypur Badli and Phirni Road in Mundka and prepare a fresh redevelopment plan. “You can’t keep passing the buck. The boundary of Samaypur Badli has to be demarcated. The court cannot demarcate the areas for you,” the bench said.