Parts of Sainik Farm legal, development body tells court

Sainik Farm residents may soon find relief in a Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) plan. The DDA has informed the Delhi High Court that it has declared some parts of the posh colony as residential area.

Sainik Farm residents may soon find relief in a Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) plan.

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The DDA has informed the Delhi High Court that it has declared some parts of the posh colony as residential area.

The change has been effected in its new zonal plan, which is now under consideration of the Urban Development Ministry.

If approved, it will spell relief for a large number of residents of the area whose houses were considered illegal till now.

The who’s who of the Capital — politicians, bureaucrats, retired judges, journalists and wealthy businessmen — own bungalows in the colony.

The Union Urban Development Ministry and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi have in separate affidavits told the court that it was an unauthorised colony built over agricultural land and green belt.

The court has ordered demolition of the illegal constructions several times in the past.

“In the zonal plan, part of the area has been allowed for residential purpose. But no construction will be allowed on the green area,” the DDA counsel told a Bench headed by Chief Justice A.P. Shah.

The court had on May 9 last year ordered demolition of all boundary walls of houses above the permissible 1.5 metres.

Petitioner’s lawyer Rajeev Awasthi had contended that illegal construction progressed under its cover.

The residents had contended that high walls were required as they faced a security threat from the surrounding slum clusters.