Delhi High Court orders DDA to clear all encroachment on Yamuna riverbank

The Delhi High Court recently ordered the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to remove all encroachments and illegal construction on the Yamuna riverbank, riverbed, and drains flowing into the river [Shabnam Burney v Union of India and Ors]..A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela appointed the DDA Vice Chairman as the nodal officer to coordinate with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police, Delhi Metro and other authorities for removing the encroachment on Yamuna.“He is also appointed as the Nodal Officer and shall coordinate with officials of MCD, Delhi Police, DMRC, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, PWD, Delhi Pollution Control Board and Forest Department. The Vice Chairman, DDA shall convene a meeting of all the concerned officials within a week… the Vice Chairman, DDA is directed to file an Action Taken Report within six weeks,” the Court ordered.The matter will be heard on September 9 to examine if the Court's order has been complied with..The High Court passed the order while dealing with a plea filed by one Shabnam Burney, who sought directions to demolish illegal construction on the Yamuna riverbank. The petition also sought a direction to the authorities to prevent any further encroachment on the riverbank and the floodplains.The counsel appearing for the government authorities told the Bench that the floodplain area is a prohibited activity zone and an important component of a river ecosystem.They admitted that encroachment in this area leads to the diversion of water leading to floods in adjacent areas and that many experts believe that floods in Delhi are manmade as they have been caused primarily by encroachment of drains, river banks, and river beds, thereby restricting the flow of water to Yamuna and in Yamuna.After considering the case the High Court passed the directions for the removal of all encroachment on the Yamuna river and its nearby areas..Advocate Sumit Kumar appeared for the petitioner.CGSC Apoorv Kurup with advocates Hussain Taqvi, Nidhi Mittal and Gurjas Narula represented the Union of India.Advocates Arun Birbal and Sanjay Singh appeared for DDA.The Delhi government was represented through Additional Standing Counsel Avishkar Singhvi as well as advocates Vivek Kr Singh, Naved Ahmed and Shubham Kuma.Advocates Prabhsahay Kaur and Bir Inder Singh Gur appeared for a Special Task Force.Advocates Ajay Arora and Kapil Dutta were for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. .[Read Order]