DDA carries out demolition drive at Yamuna Bazar to remove encroachments and unauthorised structures
New Delhi, June 25
Delhi Development Authority conducted a demolition drive in the Yamuna Bazar area near Nigam Bodh Ghat to remove unauthorised structures and encroachments on Thursday.
Visuals from the site showed the presence of heavy security forces, with personnel lined up to maintain order, while excavators moved in on sites.
This action is part of a bigger drive by Delhi authorities to clear illegal structures from the Yamuna floodplain. On May 8, the Delhi government had issued eviction notices to people living near the Yamuna floodplain in Old Delhi, citing flood risk and public safety, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The Yamuna flood plains are ecologically sensitive and fall under Zone-O.
A notice from the Additional DM of Old Delhi said nearly 310 houses near Yamuna Bazar were illegal encroachments on floodplain land owned by the DDA. Officials said the area floods every year when the Yamuna's water level rises, putting people, animals and property at risk, and residents were told to vacate within 15 days and remove their belongings themselves.
Earlier in May, the Delhi government had also approved the construction of a flood protection wall along a vulnerable stretch of the Ring Road in a major push to protect the capital from the Yamuna's recurring floods.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that a 4.72-kilometre-long wall will be built from Majnu Ka Tila to the Old Railway Bridge (ORB), with a target to complete the project before the next monsoon season.
The Chief Minister had said the decision, formally cleared as part of the budget, is rooted in the city's repeated experience with severe flooding. She underlined that the government is now moving decisively towards a permanent solution, rather than relying on temporary or stopgap measures.
Once in place, the wall will act as a robust barrier, preventing the Yamuna waters from spilling into residential areas. It is expected to provide a strong layer of protection to vulnerable localities such as Civil Lines, Kashmere Gate, Yamuna Bazaar and Majnu Ka Tila areas that have historically faced the worst impact whenever water levels rise.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm curious about how these 310 houses ended up being illegal encroachments in the first place. Were people just allowed to build there over time with no oversight? Feels like the authorities are now doing clean-up after years of negligence. The flood wall sounds like a good permanent solution, but let's see if they actually finish it before next monsoon 🤔
I feel for the people losing their homes but honestly, the Yamuna floodplain is not meant for settlements. Every year we see visuals of people wading through waist-deep water, livestock drowning, and properties destroyed. The Disaster Management Act notice was the right call. But the government must ensure these families get alternative housing, not just eviction notices. Development and humanity should go hand in hand 🙏
Interesting approach with the flood wall. 4.72 km from Majnu Ka Tila to Old Railway Bridge could protect some historic areas like Kashmere Gate and Civil Lines which always get hit hard. But is a wall really the best solution? What about ecosystem connectivity or groundwater recharge? Seems like a band-aid on a bigger problem of urban planning in Delhi.
Finally some action! Yamuna Bazar has been an eyesore and a hazard for so long. The visuals of excavators with security personnel might look harsh but this is what it takes to reclaim our riverfront. I just hope the eviction notices were served properly and people had time to move. The Chief Minister's announcement about the flood wall is good news but I'll believe it when I see it completed before monsoon. Delhi has a habit of announcing big plans and then delaying them 😩
S Siddharth J