Delhi High Court pulls up DDA over failure to maintain public parks

The Delhi High Court recently criticised the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for its failure to maintain public parks and provide recreational activities for the city’s residents [Sahil Viklang Sahaytartha Samiti & Anr v Delhi Development Authority]..In an order passed on July 18, Justice Dharmesh Sharma observed that it was high time the DDA pondered over what it had done to the city when it came to providing recreational activities to its residents.“How they intend to make Delhi a ‘smart city’? The people have every right to ask, where are the parks and play grounds in Delhi where children from every walks of life could indulge in various recreational and sporting activities, intermingle with individuals from different social and economic backgrounds, and not only spend some quality time in various sporting activities, but also bring about peace and harmony, thereby realising the cherished constitutional ideals in fostering the spirit of fraternity,” the Court said.Referring to the District Park in Delhi’s Janakpuri area, the Court said that despite many directions passed by the High Court, DDA has not cared to take any time-bound beneficial measures for the beautification and no tangible steps have been taken to allow the site to be used for recreational purposes or for making the environment clean.“But then, forget beautification, which perhaps would be a utopian idea, this Court finds that there is no proper concrete or synthetic walking/jogging track in the District Park. There are no basketball and/or volleyball courts, no tennis courts, and not even a playable football or hockey field. The photographs placed on the record demonstrate that it is an open, uneven ground in the middle with no grass or plantation. Unhesitatingly, it is manifest that the respondent/DDA does not know what to do with this site in question,” the Court said. .The Court made the observations while dealing with a plea filed by an organisation challenging the DDA’s decision to deny use of the DDA ground (park) for the Janmashtami Mahotsav between July 22 to September 3.After the Bench was informed that as per the Master Plan for Delhi 2021, this park is meant for multipurpose activities like public meetings etc., the Court said that it would leave it to the public to decide what is more important.Hence, it allowed Janmashtami Mahotasav celebrations.Justice Sharma also said that he hoped that the DDA would sooner or later come up with a meaningful policy decision to dedicate the District Park to children..Advocates Rajat Aneja, Mansimran Singh, Vishakha Ahuja, Amarjot Kaur and Neeraj Singh appeared for the petitioner.DDA was represented by its Standing Counsel Manika Tripathy and advocates Tushar Sannu and Shobhan Sachdeva. .[Read Order]