HC issues notice to DDA on land acquisition

The Delhi HC seeks a response on a petition filed by a group of shopkeepers from a south Delhi market alleging that the agency has started the land acquisition without rehabilitating them.

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the DDA on a petition filed by a group of shopkeepers from a south Delhi market alleging that the agency has started the land acquisition process for construction of Metro's Gurgaon line without rehabilitating them.

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Issuing notices to NCT government, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), besides DDA, Justice Geeta Mittal has asked them to file their replies by March 11.

In a petition, filed through counsel ML Lahoty, about 44 shopkeepers from Yusuf Sarai market near Green Park here stated that the housing body had flouted the government's October 2006 policy and initiated acquisition of land without providing alternative premises to the affected shopkeepers.

The petitioners said as per the government's policy people-affected by the project are supposed to be provided alternative premises before they are uprooted, the petitioners added.

Seeking a stay on the land acquisition, the petitioners pleaded that the court should direct the government to start simultaneous proceedings for rehabilitation of the shopkeepers.

The court fixed March 11 for further hearing of the matter.