DDA to approach Delhi HC for construction on Yamuna

As the new central government pushes for recreational activities on the banks of the Yamuna, the Delhi Development Authority is planning to move Delhi High Court for permission to construct environment-friendly recreational activity centres on the river bed. The authority has also invited environmental activists for consultation and deliberation over the issue on Friday. 

‘We will move a special leave petition in the court to grant us permission for environment friendly recreational activity centres like bamboo huts, plantation, gardening on the rivers bank to attract tourists,’ said Balvinder Kumar, vice chairman (VC) of DDA. 

‘The environmentalists are however against any type of construction on the river bed. However we have invited them for suggestions on recreational activity structures that could be made of environment-friendly substances,’ added Kumar. He further informed that a famous environment activist Manoj Mishra, convenor of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, has agreed to give a presentation on the issue. 

The VC along with senior DDA officers would interact with environmentalists to address their concerns and find a common ground. Professor AK Gosain of IIT Delhi will also give a presentation on the issue to DDA. It is pertinent to mention that the new government is keen to develop the river for recreational activities like boating and tourism activities on its bank.  Delhi High Court has banned any construction on the river bed since 2007 and even the government could not save Millennium Bus Depot, which was constructed during Commonwealth Games. However, Games village buildings, Akshardham Temple and dozens of illegal colonies, slums and shanties are still on the river bed and DDA has been unable to remove them due to political pressure.