DDA asked to remove encroachments from Yamuna banks

New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today pulled up the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for not complying with the earlier orders to remove illegal encroachments from the western banks of river Yamuna.

While hearing a PIL, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kailash Gambhir directed the DDA to clear all encroachments from its land and fence the area between DND flyover and Kalindi Kunj forthwith.

The area between Jogbai Extension and Batla House Extension having many unauthorised constructions on the flood plain within the 300 metres from the edge of the river are also to be removed by the DDA, said the court.

The Justice Usha Mehra Committee, constituted by the High Court, submitted a status report on the removal of the encroachments.

The Court expressed its anguish over inaction in clearing the land at Majnu Ka Tila, a settlement of the Tibetan refugees.

On the representation of the Tibetan refugees, the court had directed the Delhi government to resettle the Office of Tibetan Government in exile and refugees at Majnu Ka Tila, Bela Road, Budh Vihar and Monastry in a more hygienic and safer place.

The Court directed the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation department not to permit the CPWD to construct the Kalindi bye-pass road within 300 metres from the edge of River Yamuna.

The Committee submitted before the court that Joint Commissioner of Police (Northern Range) Deep Chand had written a contemptuous letter in intemperate language casting aspersion on the functioning of the committee and on the order of the High Court.

The Delhi Commissioner of Police was asked to initiate action against the Joint Commissioner of Police (Northern Range).

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