Delhi HC Raps DDA Over Delay in Industrial Area Redevelopment Plans
The Delhi High Court on Monday pulled up the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for failing to respond to requests for relaxation of norms required to redevelop non-conforming industrial plots, including areas such as Samaypur Badli and Phirni Road in Mundka. The court observed that the authority's inaction had caused a complete stalemate in efforts to prevent untreated sewage from entering the Yamuna.
A bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora emphasized that the redevelopment of these industrial clusters is essential to halt the flow of untreated sewage water into the river. The court noted that it had been managing the matter for a year while critical areas remained neglected.
The observations came during the hearing of a suo motu petition initiated over waterlogging in the Capital. The court was informed that out of 27 non-conforming industrial areas across Delhi, redevelopment plans for 25 had already been submitted to the DDA, while plans for Samaypur Badli and Phirni Road in Mundka remained pending.
The redevelopment plans were drafted by the Delhi government and the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC). They were subsequently forwarded to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and then to the DDA to secure relaxations on certain norms. However, no approvals had been granted.
Counsel representing the DDA submitted that the matter was previously being handled under the erstwhile Master Plan, and work had paused following the announcement of a new Master Plan.
Rejecting administrative delays, the bench directed the DDA to convene a meeting with the concerned authorities on August 31 and submit a clear timeline for securing approvals to lay sewer lines and stormwater drains in the 25 areas. The court also ordered the DDA, MCD, and DSIIDC to demarcate the boundaries of Samaypur Badli and Phirni Road in Mundka and prepare fresh redevelopment plans, stating that agencies cannot continue passing the buck.
