A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manohar directed the DDA vice-chairman to remove all encroachments and illegal constructions on the Yamuna river bank, river bed and drains flowing into the river.
"He (DDA vice-chairman) has also been appointed as the nodal officer and will coordinate with officials from MCD, Delhi Police, DMRC, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, PWD, Delhi Pollution Control Board and Forest Department. DDA Vice President will convene a meeting of all concerned authorities within a week,” the bench, which also included Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, said.
Apart from demolishing all unauthorized constructions in the Shaheen Bagh area, the plea filed through advocate Sumit Kumar has sought directions to stop illegal construction on the river bank and flood plains in the near future.
The petition argued that the illegal construction in question was being carried out without any permission or regard to environmental concerns and would threaten the ecologically fragile Yamuna flood plains.
The respondent authorities admitted in the court that the flood zone is a prohibited activity zone and encroachment in this zone alters the direction of water, causing flooding in the surrounding areas.
The Delhi High Court took note of the plea that according to many experts, the floods in the national capital are man-made as they are mainly caused by drains, river banks and encroachment of river beds. Ordering the DDA vice-chairman to file an action taken report within six weeks, the Delhi High Court directed the matter to be listed on September 9 for compliance.
"He (DDA vice-chairman) has also been appointed as the nodal officer and will coordinate with officials from MCD, Delhi Police, DMRC, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, PWD, Delhi Pollution Control Board and Forest Department. DDA Vice President will convene a meeting of all concerned authorities within a week,” the bench, which also included Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, said.
Apart from demolishing all unauthorized constructions in the Shaheen Bagh area, the plea filed through advocate Sumit Kumar has sought directions to stop illegal construction on the river bank and flood plains in the near future.
The petition argued that the illegal construction in question was being carried out without any permission or regard to environmental concerns and would threaten the ecologically fragile Yamuna flood plains.
The respondent authorities admitted in the court that the flood zone is a prohibited activity zone and encroachment in this zone alters the direction of water, causing flooding in the surrounding areas.
The Delhi High Court took note of the plea that according to many experts, the floods in the national capital are man-made as they are mainly caused by drains, river banks and encroachment of river beds. Ordering the DDA vice-chairman to file an action taken report within six weeks, the Delhi High Court directed the matter to be listed on September 9 for compliance.
