Ridge watchdog puts hospital plans on hold

Two days after HT reported that the government wanted to build a hospital and a road in Delhi’s southern ridge, the ridge management board (RMB) has put both plans on hold.

Two days after HT reported that the government wanted to build a hospital and a road in Delhi’s southern ridge, the ridge management board (RMB) has put both plans on hold.

HT Image

HT had reported that green area and a water body were at risk due to the projects.

“To make sure no water body or green area is harmed we have put the plans on hold for further discussions,” said a top Delhi government official.

The Delhi Development Authority on Tuesday could not confirm who owns the land in Chattarpur village where a 225-bed hospital and a 100-foot-wide approach road are supposed to come up. The ownership of the water body could not be established either.

RMB member Sunita Narain told HT, “We have asked the RMB chairperson to have a final meeting for agencies concerned to come clean on how the water body will be protected and clarify if the road will eat into the ridge area.”

The RMB will now discuss the matter on October 10.

“They’re not even sure if the land is under the control of a government agency or the gram sabha owns it,” said another RMB member, “We must clarify these issues. Otherwise, it would be said: now that the hospital has come up, its approach has to be built through the ridge.”

“This is no way to conserve the ridge. It’s a careful strategy to let the mess continue because it suits everyone,” the member claimed.