Delhi is gasping for breath: DDA prohibited from allotting lands in protected areas

New Delhi: Delhi is gasping for breath. The grave issue has once again been highlighted by the Supreme Court order. The apex court has prohibited the Delhi Development Authority from allotting any land in areas which may be notified as protected areas.

The court also suggested that the Government should set up a committee consisting of experts and senior officers to work out the modalities for identifying such areas which need to be protected.

“This court had observed that not only the notified ridge but other areas which have the same morphological features would be protected and no constructions would be permitted. It appears that there has been some difficulty in identifying the areas that have not been notified but have the same features. Therefore, we find it appropriate that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change appoint a committee consisting of a senior officer of the ministry not below the rank of a joint secretary, and representatives of the forest department of the government of Delhi, and the Geological Survey of India, and a nominee of the Delhi Ridge management board to work out the modalities for identifying such areas which need to be protected. Until further orders, the DDA shall not allot any land in the areas which are under consideration for being notified as protected areas.” said a division bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Vikram Nath, the Lawlive reported.

The court observation came this week on an an application of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence under the finance ministry, which wanted the diversion of 6,200 square metres of morphological ridge area in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area, which had been allotted by the DDA, to construct office buildings.

–INDIA NEWS STREAM