DDA changes land use policy for Appu Ghar

It is slotting a 12-acre site for office use, setting stage for the Supreme Court?s expansion, reports Moushumi Das Gupta.

On Monday, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in its board meeting changed the land use of a 12-acre plot in Pragati Maidan area from recreational to office use for the expansion of the Supreme Court.

The move has taken Appu Ghar — the amusement park which runs from the vicinity — one step closer to its imminent closure at the present site.

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The Union Urban Development Ministry had in August this year allotted the 12.19 acre of land belonging to India Trade Promotion Organization to the Supreme Court for constructing its new wing comprising offices, record room, lawyers chamber, auditorium and a library.

“The land has already been allotted to Supreme Court by the Land and Development Office (L&DO). Today, we have changed the land usage of the plot from recreational to office use. It’s a mere formality before work starts,” said a DDA official.

According to Master Plan– 2001, the land use of this 12.19 acre plot located at the periphery of Lutyen’s Bungalow zone and which falls in zone “D” was marked as “recreational.”

The India Trade Promotion Organisation had given this particular plot to Appu Ghar on lease. The lease had since terminated and ITPO had not renewed it further.