Advertisement
What really powers the cloud? Behind every Google search, A...
A lot of what defines a home isn’t visible at handover. I...
Private equity has played a significant role in shaping Indi...
Luxury real estate is one of the most talked-about segments ...
Airports play a much bigger role than just enabling travel -...
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has clarified that no demolition action will be taken against existing homes and settlements located within the capital’s O-Zone area, following concerns triggered by recent Delhi High Court proceedings on unauthorised construction in the Yamuna floodplain. The assurance came after a high-level meeting involving public representatives, officials from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The O-Zone, which covers environmentally sensitive areas along the Yamuna floodplain, includes around 91 unauthorised colonies and a dozen villages with an estimated population of 1.5 million people. The government has maintained that while fresh and ongoing unauthorised construction will continue to face action, existing structures are protected from demolition, easing concerns among residents over potential displacement.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has stated that no demolition action will be undertaken against existing constructions in colonies and villages located within the capital’s O-Zone area, seeking to allay fears among residents following recent court proceedings related to unauthorised construction in the Yamuna floodplain region. The assurance was issued after a meeting held in the past week with senior officials and elected representatives to review the implications of Delhi High Court observations on development activities in the zone.
The meeting at the Delhi Secretariat was attended by Members of Parliament Manoj Tiwari and Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely, along with senior officials from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Discussions focused on concerns raised by residents after public notices and signage regarding demolition action were installed across parts of the O-Zone.
According to the chief minister, the Delhi High Court’s observations were directed towards preventing and removing new or ongoing unauthorised construction rather than targeting existing completed structures. Gupta sought clarification from DDA officials and indicated that the authority should act in accordance with the court’s directions. She also stated that she would raise the matter with Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
The O-Zone comprises ecologically sensitive land along the Yamuna floodplain and includes approximately 91 unauthorised colonies and around a dozen long-established villages. The area is estimated to house nearly 15 lakh residents. While the High Court has repeatedly directed authorities to curb encroachments and prevent fresh unauthorised development in the floodplain, questions had emerged over the status of existing settlements.
During the meeting, public representatives reportedly reviewed court records and government documents and concluded that existing residential structures were not under threat of demolition. They maintained that the court orders specifically referred to new and ongoing unauthorised construction activities. The chief minister subsequently directed DDA officials to revise the wording on public notice boards installed across the O-Zone so that residents are not unnecessarily alarmed.
The issue has gained significance after recent High Court hearings concerning unauthorised development in Zone O. Court records indicate that authorities have been instructed to identify and remove fresh encroachments and illegal construction while ensuring that no new development takes place within the environmentally sensitive area. Government submissions before the court have also indicated that temporary legal protection available to unauthorised colonies in Zone O remains in force until 31 December 2026 under the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act.
Representatives present at the meeting further supported a complete prohibition on fresh construction within the O-Zone and called for stronger measures to protect the Yamuna floodplain from future encroachments. The clarification from the Delhi government is expected to provide relief to residents while maintaining restrictions on new development in the ecologically sensitive corridor.
Source - PTI
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
